US President Donald Trump has launched a new US visa system aimed at wealthy foreigners willing to pay at least $1 million to obtain permanent residency in the country. The program is called the Trump Gold Card and is aimed at high-level professionals who can demonstrate that they bring “significant benefit” to the United States.When he unveiled the card, Trump described it as “the Green Card on steroids. It’s a path, it’s an amazing thing.” He criticized the Biden administration, claiming that about 25 million people entered the U.S. during its term, including “drug traffickers and all kinds of people … from prisons all over the world: Venezuela, the Congo, everywhere.”Trump said the Gold Card system would prioritize talent over mass migration. “When people come in now, they have to pay a million dollars. And we’ve seen a huge increase,” he said. The MAGA boss added that the program would allow graduates of leading US universities to stay and work for American companies. “Someone who graduates at the top of their class from the best school wants to work for a great American company and now they can. The company will pay a little, but that’s OK. They’ll be able to retain the talent.”Under the program, companies sponsoring workers must pay $2 million plus additional fees. There will also be a higher-tier “Platinum” option with preferential tax treatment for $5 million. All applicants must initially pay a non-refundable processing fee of $15,000, although additional payments to the government may be required depending on individual circumstances.Trump compared the Gold Card to a standard green card that allows immigrants of all income levels to live and work permanently in the United States, often leading to citizenship after five years. He suggested that the new program would be targeted at “high-level” professionals who are “productive,” rather than low-skilled migrants.The announcement comes alongside Trump’s tough immigration policies, which include a crackdown on illegal immigration and measures against legal immigration. According to POTUS, the Gold Card program would generate revenue for the U.S. Treasury while ensuring top talent can stay in the country to contribute to American companies.
