### Trump Launches $1 Million 'Gold Card' Visa Program Amid Immigration Policy Shift In a significant move to reshape U.S. immigration policy, President Donald Trump has unveiled a new visa program known as the "Gold Card," which allows wealthy foreigners to expedite their immigration process by paying a fee of $1 million. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to attract skilled immigrants and generate revenue for the U.S. government, particularly in light of ongoing immigration crackdowns. The program is designed to provide a pathway to U.S. citizenship for those who can afford it, with the potential for corporate sponsorships at a higher fee of $2 million per foreign worker [https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/donald-trump-unveils-new-1million-36383606][https://www.firstpost.com/world/united-states/trump-launches-gold-card-visa-platinum-card-immigrants-foreigners-us-visa-13958660.html]. ### Structure of the Gold Card Visa Program 1. **Program Overview** - The Gold Card program offers a fast-tracked visa option for individuals willing to pay $1 million, with corporations able to sponsor foreign workers for $2 million each [https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/10/politics/trump-gold-card-1-million-dollar-visa]. 2. **Eligibility and Application Process** - Applicants must undergo a background check and vetting process before making the financial contribution, which is described as a "gift" to the U.S. Treasury [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2025/12/11/trump-launches-gold-card-program-for-expedited-visas]. 3. **Comparison to Existing Visa Programs** - The Gold Card is positioned as a more advantageous alternative to the traditional Green Card, aiming to attract top talent and retain skilled workers for American companies [https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/president-trump-launches-gold-card-citizenship-scheme-promises-direct-pathway-to-us-citizenship]. 4. **Financial Implications** - The program is expected to generate significant revenue for the U.S. government, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stating that the funds will be used to benefit the country [https://apnews.com/article/trump-gold-card-website-live-us-visa-22edbd7e65d188bbf6c8ec1d5f78d11a]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Financial Contributions**: - Individuals: $1 million - Corporations: $2 million per foreign worker - **Vetting Fee**: $15,000 included in the application process [https://www.india.com/news/world/amid-immigration-crackdown-donald-trump-makes-big-move-launches-usd-1m-gold-card-visa-scheme-who-can-apply-check-link-fee-eligibility-trump-gold-card-platinum-card-corporate-gold-card-us-citizenship-8224617]. - **Program Goals**: Attract skilled immigrants, generate federal revenue, and provide a clearer path to citizenship compared to existing options [https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-gold-card-visa-program-citizenship-immigration-11189884]. ### Conclusion: Implications of the Gold Card Visa Program The launch of the Gold Card visa program represents a pivotal shift in U.S. immigration policy, emphasizing a pay-for-access model that prioritizes wealthy individuals and corporations. 1. **Revenue Generation**: The program is expected to significantly boost federal revenue through the fees collected from applicants and sponsors. 2. **Talent Retention**: By offering a streamlined path to citizenship, the initiative aims to retain skilled workers who can contribute to the U.S. economy. 3. **Controversial Approach**: This model raises ethical questions about immigration equity and the implications of monetizing citizenship pathways. In summary, the Gold Card program is a bold initiative that could reshape the landscape of U.S. immigration, but it also invites scrutiny regarding its fairness and accessibility [https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump-unveils-1-million-gold-card-with-his-mug-and-bald-eagle-for-quickie-visas-so-exciting][https://www.wsls.com/news/politics/2025/12/10/trumps-gold-card-program-goes-live-offering-us-visas-starting-at-1-million-per-person].