Trump Unveils $1 Million Gold Card Visa as White House Ramps Up Immigration Crackdown

President Donald Trump has launched an immigration scheme offering wealthy foreigners a fast track into the United States (US) in exchange for a minimum $1 million payment, promising what he called a direct path to citizenship for vetted applicants.

Announced formally this week, the Trump Gold Card targets high-level professionals who can show they will provide a substantial benefit to the US economy.

According to the programme’s website, individuals must pay $1 million plus a non-refundable $15 000 processing fee, while businesses sponsoring employees face a $2 million charge.

A platinum tier offering special tax breaks is set to follow for $5 million. The site also notes that extra government fees may apply depending on each applicant’s circumstances.

The launch comes as Washington intensifies its broader immigration crackdown. The administration has raised work visa fees, escalated deportations of undocumented migrants, and paused all immigration decisions for individuals from 19 countries. It has also halted asylum approvals pending review of thousands of cases granted under Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden.

In September, Trump signed an order imposing a $100 000 fee on many new H1B skilled worker applications from abroad, a move that rattled international students and US technology firms. Critics, including several Democratic lawmakers, say the new Gold Card system entrenches a pay-to-enter model that favours the global rich while tightening restrictions on ordinary migrants.

Trump has dismissed the criticism, arguing that people able to pay $5 million are going to create jobs and that the cards will sell quickly.