Trump Proposes $5 Million “Gold Card” Visas as a “Path to Citizenship” in the U.S.

In a proposal that is sure to spark controversy and debate, former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to create a special visa, dubbed the “Gold Card,” which would offer permanent residency and a path to American citizenship to foreigners willing to invest $5million(approximatelyR$26 million) in the country. The idea was presented during the first cabinet meeting of his current term, where Trump claimed the program would “sell like hotcakes” and be a “great deal.”

“These people who can pay $5 million are going to create jobs,” Trump told reporters. “It’s going to sell like crazy. It’s a bargain.” The former president emphasized that the program aims to attract “high-level people” who can contribute to the U.S. economy.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who also attended the meeting, explained that the “Gold Card” would replace the current visa program for foreign investors, known as EB-5. However, details on how the new system would operate have yet to be disclosed.

How Would the “Gold Card” Work?
The EB-5 visa, which would be replaced by the “Gold Card,” grants permanent residency to foreigners who invest at least $1 million in projects that create at least 10 full-time jobs in the U.S. Lutnick criticized the current program, describing it as “poorly overseen and poorly executed,” and stated that the new visa would be a significant improvement.

“We’re going to make sure they’re wonderful, world-class global citizens,” Lutnick said of future “Gold Card” applicants. However, it remains unclear how the government would select recipients, whether there would be exclusion criteria, or if there would be a cap on the number of visas issued.

Global Context
Citizenship or residency-by-investment programs are not new in the global landscape. Countries such as Portugal, Malta, and Greece already offer “golden visas” or similar programs that attract foreign investors in exchange for immigration benefits. In Portugal, for example, a €500,000 (approximately R$2.6 million) investment in a qualifying fund grants permanent residency.

Trump suggested that revenue generated from the “Gold Card” visas could be used to pay off U.S. debt. Additionally, he highlighted that American companies could use the program to hire foreign talent.

“We need to be able to bring people into the country, and we want productive people,” Trump stated.

EB-5 Visa Record
The announcement comes at a time when the EB-5 program has reached a record number of issuances. In the 2024 fiscal year, the State Department issued over 12,000 EB-5 visas, the highest number in the program’s history.

However, Trump’s proposal is likely to face criticism from groups that argue citizenship-by-investment programs may favor the wealthy at the expense of immigrants seeking asylum or opportunities through traditional channels.

While details about the “Gold Card” remain scarce, the proposal is already generating discussions about the future of immigration in the U.S. and the role of foreign capital in the American economy.