A $1 Million US Gold Card: How Trump's New Immigration Program Will Change the Golden Visa Market
A $1 Million US Gold Card: How Trump's New Immigration Program Will Change the Golden Visa Market
US President Donald Trump has reduced the price of the "Golden Visa" from $5 million to $1 million, making the program one of the most accessible and sought-after "golden visas" in the world.
Experts note that this move will increase the migration of wealthy individuals to the US, change the balance of the global investment visa market, and create new challenges for the US economy and legislation.
Experts note that this move will increase the migration of wealthy individuals to the US, change the balance of the global investment visa market, and create new challenges for the US economy and legislation.
Immigration reform and a new tool for the elite
In September 2025, Donald Trump announced the launch of the "Golden Card" immigration program, which allows for permanent residency in the United States for an investment of $1 million. This was a significant change from the February announcement, when the cost was $5 million.The program has already generated excitement among immigration lawyers and clients from Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The United States has entered competition with destinations such as Singapore ($8 million), New Zealand ($3 million), and even Samoa ($1.4 million).
According to the US Department of Commerce, plans include issuing up to 80,000 Gold Cards, as well as a $5 million Platinum Card, which will offer tax benefits. The government expects revenue of approximately $100 billion.
A $1 Million US Gold Card: How Trump's New Immigration Program Will Change the Golden Visa Market
Why is the Gold Card important?
Attractiveness factors:Price: $1 million – significantly lower than similar programs in other countries.
Deadlines: promise of "record-fast" application processing.
Prestige: access to American education, healthcare, and the financial system.
Global trends:
According to research by Henley & Partners (August 2025), approximately 142,000 millionaires will change their country of residence by the end of the year. The US already ranks second after the UAE in terms of the number of HNWIs it attracts (7,500 wealthy migrants in 2025).
Legal and political barriers
Despite the loud claims, the program faces a number of risks:Legislation: Immigration rules are passed by Congress, and the Gold Card is built on top of EB-1 and EB-2 through legal loopholes.
Lawsuits: Lawsuits are likely from those already on the EB-1/EB-2 waiting list.
Taxes: Unlike other Golden Visas, the $1 million is a non-refundable donation, and U.S. residents are subject to worldwide taxes.
Comparison with other countries
Singapore: Investment visa costs $8 million.New Zealand: from $3 million
Samoa: $1.4 million
Malta and Cyprus (previously): €750,000 – €2 million (before suspension of programs).
This makes the US Gold Card one of the cheapest among major economies.
Potential beneficiaries
Asia (China and India): the main source of applicants. However, they face long waiting lists for EB-10 programs and risk delays.Latin America: Wealthy families seek 'Plan B' as region unrest continues.
Middle East: Potential clients for the Platinum Card due to tax advantages.
The next generation: children of billionaires who want to study and build a career in the US.
Expert opinions
Immigration Consultant Ali Jafri:"The Gold Card is ideal for children of wealthy foreigners who want to study in the US and build a career independent of the family business. While the Platinum Card is attractive to billionaires seeking to protect their wealth from taxes."
Financial Analyst at New World Wealth:
"Given the cost and prestige of the US, the demand for this program could be comparable to the immigration boom in the UAE."
Analytics and forecast
Short term: Growing demand, especially from China and India.Medium term: legal risks, possible lawsuits and the need to adapt EB programs.
Long-term: the emergence of new card categories (a “black card” for $20–25 million with tax immunities, which consultants are already talking about).
Conclusion
Trump's $1 million "Golden Card" is an immigration breakthrough that could transform the US into a global leader in the "golden visa" market. However, the project carries risks, from legal conflicts to tax traps for investors.
For the US, this is an opportunity to attract $100 billion to the budget, and for investors, it is a chance to open doors to American life.
The main question is how quickly and painlessly the program will be implemented and whether it will be possible to bypass legal barriers.
By Claire Whitmore
October 03, 2025
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