U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday unveiled a new $5 million residency permit dubbed the “Gold Card,” presenting it as a premium pathway to American citizenship aimed at wealthy investors.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump held up a prototype featuring his own image and the words “The Trump Card,” declaring himself the first official buyer.
“Pretty exciting, huh?” he said with a smile. “We expect it to be available in less than two weeks.”
Billed as an ultra-exclusive alternative to the traditional green card, the Gold Card is part of Trump’s broader immigration strategy — one that prioritizes economic contribution over family ties. The president said proceeds from sales could help reduce the national deficit while attracting high-net-worth individuals who would contribute to job creation in the U.S.
Trump, a billionaire businessman before entering politics, has made cracking down on undocumented immigration a hallmark of his second term. Yet, he has also embraced selective pathways for legal immigration through wealth and investment.
The initiative, he said, could see up to a million cards issued, though he did not specify any eligibility restrictions — even stating in February that Russian oligarchs would not be automatically excluded.
“This is about bringing in the best — and the richest — to build America,” he added.