Trump Gold Card: $1M U.S. Residency Open for Global Investors

This week, the United States officially launched one of the most striking developments in investment migration to date, the Trump Gold Card, a fast-track U.S. residency program requiring a $1 million minimum contribution. The program is now open for applications and has been directly announced by President Trump as a way to bring in “qualified and vetted people” through capital, not bureaucracy.

At the same time, the administration has proposed new visa rules requiring tourists from visa-waiver countries, such as those in the EU, to submit five years of social media history before entering the U.S. This parallel move reinforces a sharp global trend: increasingly restrictive access for tourists and more privileged, streamlined routes for investors and entrepreneurs.

For high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), business owners, and international investors, the message is loud and clear: if you want access to the U.S., come with capital, and come now.

Let’s explore what this means for investors worldwide, how it compares to existing programs, and why it could mark a new chapter in American immigration policy.

The Trump Gold Card is not a speculative policy. It’s real, official, and open for application.

Launched just days ago, this investor residency program requires a $1 million contribution from eligible applicants. In return, qualified individuals are offered a fast-tracked residency, with President Trump emphasizing that it provides a “direct path to citizenship for all qualified and vetted people.”

Trump added that proceeds from the Gold Card will be placed in a fund to “do positive things for the country,” projecting billions in revenue from global investor participation.

This is more than immigration reform, it’s economic strategy.

Key details of the Trump Gold Card include:

• $1 million minimum investment into the program
• Fast-tracked access to U.S. residency
• Potential path to U.S. citizenship
• Direct messaging from the administration targeting HNWIs, entrepreneurs, and “invaluable talent”
• A policy shift placing economic contribution above family ties or tourist access

The Trump Gold Card signals a radical departure from how the U.S. has traditionally managed investor migration.

Until now, the main vehicle for investment migration has been the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. While effective in principle, the EB-5 has become known for:

• Long processing times (often several years)
• Retrogression for certain countries (notably China and India)
• High bureaucratic burdens
• Risky regional center investments

The Gold Card bypasses much of this.

By offering a more predictable and direct route, the U.S. now joins countries like the UAE, Portugal, and Singapore that offer faster, investor-focused migration paths. It speaks directly to HNWIs who need agility, speed, and legal certainty when making global lifestyle and business decisions.

We are in a period of rapid transformation in global migration policy. Nations are moving to protect their borders, scrutinize visitors more closely, and favor applicants who can bring tangible economic value.

In contrast to tightening rules for tourists and casual visitors, governments are offering premium lanes for investors. The Trump Gold Card is a direct result of this bifurcation.

For global investors, the benefits of this program are strategic:

• Access to the world’s largest economy
• Residency in a U.S. dollar-denominated legal environment
• Entry into the U.S. private and public investment ecosystem
• Easier family planning with access to U.S. education, healthcare, and business networks
• Legal residency that can support future tax planning and succession strategies

In today’s unpredictable world, mobility is a form of security. The Trump Gold Card is more than a visa, it’s an insurance policy against volatility in politics, markets, and regulation.

To understand the value of the Trump Gold Card, it helps to compare it with existing U.S. and international options.

EB-5 Program vs. Trump Gold Card

Feature	EB-5	Trump Gold Card
Minimum Investment	$800K–$1.05M	$1M
Processing Time	2–5 years	Not yet disclosed (promised fast-track)
Country Caps	Yes	Unknown
Route to Citizenship	Yes	Yes (claimed direct path)
Bureaucratic Risk	High	Likely lower

E-2 Visa vs. Trump Gold Card

Feature	E-2 Visa	Trump Gold Card
Treaty Country Required	Yes	No
Permanent Residency?	No	Yes (implied)
Investment Amount	Flexible ($100K+)	Fixed ($1M)
Path to Citizenship	Indirect	Direct (claimed)

Globally, investor programs in countries like Portugal, Malta, UAE, or Singapore often offer fast-track residency or citizenship, but rarely with the global brand value and strategic leverage of a U.S. residency.

One of the biggest concerns investors may have is the political uncertainty tied to a program so closely associated with a specific administration.

Could the Trump Gold Card be reversed by a future U.S. president or Congress? Could it be legally challenged?

These are fair questions and ones that any serious investor should raise with their legal and immigration counsel.

However, we must recognize that the market for investment migration is changing irreversibly. While specific policies may evolve, the broader trend is clear:

Countries will continue to compete for capital.
Mobility will become more exclusive, not less.
Strategic access will be reserved for contributors, not casual visitors.

From that perspective, early movers into the Trump Gold Card program may benefit from grandfathering protections, priority processing, and potentially locking in favorable terms before any future revisions.

For many business leaders, the Trump Gold Card isn’t just a way to enter the U.S., it’s a gateway to scaling their influence and reach.

Residency can unlock:

• Direct ownership of U.S. businesses and real estate
• Access to venture capital, innovation hubs, and global banking systems
• Enhanced personal and corporate branding as a U.S.-connected entity
• Estate planning and tax strategy optimization with global advisors

And for families, it means top-tier education access, freedom of movement, and a safe haven amid global political risks.

Secret Bay is setting a precedent.

Residency today is about leverage, not location. It’s about what doors it opens and what buffers it builds.

If you are seriously considering the Trump Gold Card as part of your global wealth and mobility strategy, here’s what to do next:

1. Speak with a qualified immigration advisor
   Ensure you understand the legal, tax, and personal implications before making any investment.
2. Prepare compliant source of funds documentation
   U.S. residency programs require strict financial due diligence. Early prep is key.
3. Consider how this fits into your global portfolio
   Is this your primary mobility plan or a secondary option? How does it compare to existing citizenships or residencies?
4. Monitor policy updates
   While the program is open, terms may evolve. Work with an advisor who has direct insight into U.S. policy developments.
5. Act quickly
   High demand and political changes may lead to tighter quotas, pricing changes, or new eligibility hurdles in the near future.

The Trump Gold Card doesn’t just open a door, it sets a tone.

The U.S. is signaling to the world that value-driven immigration is the future. While some borders are closing, others are opening, for those who can contribute economically, create jobs, and invest in long-term success.

If you’re a global investor with capital to deploy and a long-term vision to protect, the Trump Gold Card offers more than access. It offers a seat at the table.

And in today’s competitive global environment, that seat may be the most valuable asset you acquire this year.

The launch of the Trump Gold Card marks a rare window of opportunity. If you’re a high-net-worth individual, entrepreneur, or global business owner looking to position yourself for the next decade, this is the time to act.

Secure your place in one of the world’s most influential markets, on your terms.

Reach out to a licensed investment migration advisor to start the process today.