Trump Administration Introduces “Trump Gold Card” Visa Program to Attract Top Talent

Washington, Sept 2025 : As the Trump administration tightens restrictions on H-1B visas, it has unveiled a new investment-based visa initiative called the “Trump Gold Card.” The program, announced through an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Friday, aims to attract high-skilled talent and boost business investment in the United States.

Under the new policy, individuals can obtain a visa by investing $1 million, while corporations can secure a Corporate Trump Gold Card for an employee for $2 million. Unlike traditional visa schemes, the corporate card remains with the company, which has the flexibility to transfer it to another employee for a nominal fee.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick shared the program’s details on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, emphasizing that the initiative “does not expand immigration” but instead targets the country’s most extraordinary talent. “For $1 million, individuals can obtain the Trump Gold Card, creating jobs and building businesses here in America. For $2 million, corporations can purchase a Corporate Trump Gold Card for one employee,” Lutnick explained.

He also highlighted the program’s stringent screening process, stating that all applicants would undergo rigorous Department of Homeland Security (DHS) vetting and pay a $15,000 processing fee. According to Lutnick, the Gold Card program is designed to replace “broken visa categories like the diversity lottery, which brings down America instead of attracting high-earning individuals these programs were originally intended to serve.”

President Trump compared the Gold Card to a “signing bonus” for professional athletes, saying it would allow top talent to remain in the United States rather than being forced to leave after excelling in school or early careers. “One of the biggest problems we face is that people go to the best schools, perform well, and get great grades—but then they are thrown out of the country. This program allows corporations to retain the brightest minds, much like signing bonuses in baseball or football,” Trump said.

Lutnick underscored the economic benefits of the initiative, asserting that the Gold Card program would attract only “extraordinary people at the very top” and encourage them to create businesses and generate employment for Americans. He added that the program is expected to raise more than $100 billion for the U.S. Treasury, providing a significant boost to national revenue while supporting domestic job creation.

By combining strict vetting with substantial investment requirements, the Trump Gold Card represents a shift in U.S. immigration policy, prioritizing economic contribution and entrepreneurial impact over traditional visa quotas. Officials believe the program will not only secure top talent for the nation but also strengthen the U.S. economy through job creation, innovation, and capital investment.

Team Maverick.