The United States is selling 1,000 “Gold Card” visas daily under a controversial new program introduced by President Donald Trump, offering a direct path to citizenship for individuals willing to invest $5 million, APA reports.
Unveiled in February, the initiative is expected to replace the EB-5 investor visa program. Speaking on the All-In Podcast, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick revealed that the administration sees massive demand, with 37 million potential buyers worldwide and a goal of selling one million visas.
“There are 37 million people in the world who are capable of buying the card… The president thinks we can sell a million,” Lutnick stated. He credited billionaire investor John Paulson for helping shape the program, while Elon Musk is reportedly assisting in developing its software infrastructure.
While the initiative is projected to generate significant revenue for the US government, it has sparked heated debate. Critics argue that it creates a two-tiered system, prioritizing the wealthy while the administration cracks down on undocumented immigrants.
Despite uncertainties surrounding its implementation, Trump has signaled that the Gold Card visa will not require congressional approval, framing it as a key pillar of his immigration agenda.
