Washington: The United States has unveiled the “Trump Golden Card,” a new visa program that offers a pathway to American citizenship for foreign nationals willing to make a significant financial contribution. This announcement comes as the U.S. tightens immigration controls ahead of co-hosting the World Cup next year.
According to Thai News Agency, the “Trump Gold Card” initiative, introduced by President Donald Trump, allows foreigners to live and work in the U.S. with benefits similar to a green card. Interested applicants must apply through the Trumpcard.gov website and pay a $15,000 application fee for expedited processing to the Department of Homeland Security. Upon passing a thorough review, applicants must contribute an additional $1 million as a “donation” or “gift” to secure the visa.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick revealed that over 10,000 individuals have already applied during the pre-registration phase. He expects the program to generate billions of dollars, suggesting that participants will contribute more to the U.S. economy than traditional green card holders. Lutnick also announced a separate “gold card” for businesses, allowing expedited employee visas for a $2 million donation per employee.
Simultaneously, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security have introduced new entry requirements, including biometric verification and reporting of digital or social media usage over the past five years. These conditions apply to foreign nationals completing Form I-94, travelers from visa-exempt countries using the Electronic Travel Authorization System (ESTA), and those reporting their U.S. departure via the CBP application.
The new requirements also propose collecting applicants’ phone numbers from the past five years and email addresses from the past ten years, along with additional family information. Experts warn that these measures could affect digital rights and travel freedom, especially as the U.S. prepares for an influx of tourists for the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.