Mr. Trump’s million-dollar golden immigration card program

US President Donald Trump on the afternoon of December 10 announced the launch of the “golden immigration card” program that he has been promoting for many months. He sees this as a way for the US to attract and retain top talent, while also generating revenue for the federal budget. The application receiving website trumpcard.gov also went live.

“I am very excited, both for myself and the country, to launch the Trump Gold Card,” the White House boss said, adding that the program is similar to a green card, but with “better perks and a more solid path to becoming an American citizen.”

President Trump has been incubating the golden immigration card program since February, the price he announced at that time was 5 million USD. In September, he officially signed an executive order establishing the program, assigning Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick the task of supervising it. The ordinance provides for contributions of $1 million for individuals and $2 million for businesses that want to sponsor employees.

The Golden Card will replace EB-5, the visa issued by the US Congress in 1990 to attract foreign investment, for people who invest about 1 million USD in a company with at least 10 employees. The number of EB-5 visas is limited to 10,000 visas per year, of which 30% are for investors in high unemployment areas in the US. Mr. Lutnick has long criticized EB-5 for profiteering and too low prices.

President Trump said the number of yellow cards is not limited. The White House boss and Secretary Lutnick said on December 10 that they wanted to welcome “the best of the best” to America.

When accessing trumpcard.gov, users will see a yellow card with a picture of Mr. Trump and the Statue of Liberty appearing from behind a mountain range, along with a “register now” button to “unlock life in America.”

“With a fee of 15,000 USD for the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to evaluate your documents and a contribution of 1 million USD, you will receive the right to settle in the US in record time thanks to the Trump Gold Card,” the website describes.

After filling in personal information and contact phone number, the user will be redirected to the payment page. Applicants must be eligible to be granted legal permanent resident status, satisfy US entry regulations, and visas in this category are still available.

The review process will take “many weeks”. The US Department of State may charge additional fees depending on the candidate. The program is not limited to any region, but notes applicants from “a small number of countries may have to wait a year or more, depending on visa availability”.

Approved applicants will receive lawful permanent resident status, similar to holders of EB-1 or EB-2 visas, employment visas for individuals of exceptional ability. Holders can have their yellow cards revoked if they pose a national security risk or other threat to the United States.

With the yellow card for businesses, companies must pay an application processing fee of 15,000 USD for each employee they want to sponsor and continue to pay 2 million USD if that person is approved. This card will be subject to a 1% annual fee and a 5% transfer fee. The US Department of State may charge fees depending on the circumstances.

The website also briefly introduces the “Trump Platinum Card”, priced at 5 million USD, allowing the holder to stay in the US for up to 270 days without being subject to US tax on income outside this country. It is unclear when this program will begin.

“Foreigners can register now to secure a spot on the Trump Platinum Card waiting list,” the website said, encouraging candidates to act soon because “there is no guarantee the Platinum Card contribution will stay at $5 million.”

According to President Trump, all revenue from this program is “transferred to the government”. He predicted billions of dollars would flow into an account managed by the US Treasury Department to “do positive things for the country”.

DHS Secretary Kristie Noem praised the yellow card program, saying it helps President Trump fulfill his promise to attract the most successful entrepreneurs and investors and ensure they are responsible to America.

“Wonderful! Big American companies can finally retain their invaluable talent,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Meanwhile, some Democratic lawmakers and immigrant advocacy groups have criticized the program, saying the program gives excessive priority to the wealthy. Others are skeptical about the legality of the president arbitrarily creating the yellow card program or eliminating or amending EB-5.

“Congress must enact legislation to establish a new program. I’m really not sure what legal authority the Trump administration relies on to create such a program from scratch,” Sharvari Dalal-Dheini, senior director at the American Bar Association on Immigration, told CNN.