Trump’s ‘Gold Card’ Program Generates $1 Billion Within Days

The Trump administration’s newly launched “Gold Card” visa program has generated more than $1 billion in revenue within just days, underscoring strong early demand for a fast-track, high-cost immigration option aimed at wealthy foreigners and global investors.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced the figures during a White House meeting with healthcare industry executives, saying the United States had earned over $1 billion “in a very short period of time” from the program, according to U.S. network Newsmax.

The Gold Card visa allows foreign nationals to pay $1 million to accelerate their immigration visa process, while U.S. companies can pay $2 million to sponsor a foreign worker they wish to bring into the country. The initiative is designed to attract affluent migrants, capital inflows, and job creation to the U.S. economy.

Lutnick and White House officials said late Friday that total sales have already reached approximately $1.3 billion since the online application portal was launched earlier this month. President Donald Trump has actively promoted the initiative as a major revenue source and a tool to attract global investment.

Speaking at a White House event, Trump said proceeds from the program would be transferred directly to the U.S. Treasury and used to help reduce the national debt.

“It’s essentially a highly enhanced green card,” Trump said in remarks that circulated widely across media and social platforms.

The official website for the program, TrumpCard.gov, was launched on December 10.

Under the executive order governing the initiative, individuals seeking the expedited immigration pathway must make an unconditional $1 million contribution to the U.S. government. Companies sponsoring foreign employees are required to contribute $2 million per worker.

In addition, applicants are subject to mandatory fees, including a $15,000 processing fee per applicant. Lutnick emphasized that all applicants undergo rigorous vetting by the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies before residency is granted.

Supporters of the Gold Card program argue that it opens new opportunities for security-vetted, high-net-worth individuals to invest, spend, and create jobs in the United States. They contend that the resulting revenue and economic activity will benefit American industries and local communities.

Critics, however, say the initiative risks creating a two-tier immigration system that prioritizes wealth over skills and merit. Proponents counter that the program does not eliminate background checks or security requirements and operates alongside existing immigration pathways.

Some international reports suggest demand for the Gold Card varies by region. In countries such as India, potential applicants reportedly continue to show stronger interest in established investor visa programs like EB-5, which offer clearer legal pathways to permanent residency and citizenship.

The Gold Card initiative forms part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to reshape U.S. immigration policy, balancing stricter enforcement with mechanisms to attract global talent and capital, while generating new revenue streams without requiring additional legislation from Congress.

As early sales figures indicate, the program has quickly become one of the most financially impactful immigration initiatives in recent U.S. history, reigniting debate over the role of wealth in access to residency and citizenship.