The United States government has introduced two new high-value residency programs, the Gold Card and the Platinum Card, aimed at foreign nationals. The Gold Card offers a direct path to permanent residency for a $1 million contribution, while the $5 million Platinum Card includes significant tax advantages on foreign income, a major departure from current U.S. tax policy.
Key Takeaways
- Gold Card: A $1 million "gift" to the U.S. Treasury secures permanent residency, falling under existing EB-1 or EB-2 visa categories.
- Platinum Card: A $5 million fee allows residency for up to 270 days per year without U.S. tax on foreign-earned income.
- Corporate Option: A $2 million corporate Gold Card allows businesses to sponsor employees and transfer the status to another employee later.
- Comparison: The new programs are significantly more expensive than many European "golden visas" but offer a simpler, donation-based path compared to the U.S. EB-5 investor program.
Details of the Gold Card Program
The Trump administration has launched a new initiative to attract foreign capital through a direct pathway to U.S. residency. The primary offering, known as the Gold Card, requires a non-refundable $1 million contribution to the United States Treasury. This payment is described as a "gift" rather than an investment.
Once approved, applicants will receive permanent resident status, commonly known as a green card. They will be classified under the existing EB-1 or EB-2 employment-based visa categories. These categories are typically reserved for individuals with extraordinary abilities or advanced degrees. However, under this new program, the $1 million payment is considered sufficient evidence that the applicant will "substantially benefit the United States."
For tax purposes, Gold Card holders will be treated like all other U.S. permanent residents and citizens. This means they will be subject to U.S. taxes on their worldwide income, a key factor that has historically deterred some high-net-worth individuals from seeking U.S. residency.
Corporate Sponsorship and H-1B Fee Increases
The administration also introduced a corporate version of the Gold Card priced at $2 million. This option allows a company to sponsor an employee for residency and later transfer that sponsorship to a different employee without an additional multi-million dollar fee. This flexibility is designed to appeal to multinational corporations. Separately, the administration has increased the fee for new H-1B visa applications to $100,000, a significant jump from the previous range of $2,000 to $5,000.
The Platinum Card: A Tax-Advantaged Option
For individuals concerned about U.S. worldwide taxation, the administration has proposed a more exclusive option: the Platinum Card. This program carries a $5 million fee and offers a unique and powerful incentive.
Successful applicants can reside in the United States for up to 270 days each year without being subject to U.S. taxes on income earned outside the country. This feature effectively separates physical presence from tax residency, a radical shift from long-standing American tax principles.
"This would be significant because it breaks with the long-standing US principle of taxing residents on their worldwide income," said Patricia Casaburi, chief executive of Global Citizen Solutions. "The Platinum Card effectively decouples physical presence from tax residency, giving ultra-wealthy individuals the rare ability to enjoy most of the year in the US without exposing their global assets to US taxation.”
Who Benefits from the Platinum Card?
The program is structured to appeal almost exclusively to the ultra-wealthy with substantial, ongoing foreign income streams. According to analysis from Global Citizen Solutions, an individual earning $5 million or more in overseas income annually could recover the upfront cost in just three years through tax savings. Someone earning $10 million abroad could offset the expense in less than two years.
Tax Savings Breakdown
Normally, a U.S. resident spending over 183 days in the country must pay federal tax of up to 37% on all foreign earnings. The Platinum Card eliminates this requirement for those staying 270 days or fewer, creating substantial savings for high earners.
However, the implementation of the Platinum Card is not yet finalized. United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick told reporters that the program would require approval from Congress before it can be rolled out.
Application Process and Eligibility
Prospective applicants for the Gold Card can begin the process online through the official trumpcard.gov website. The initial steps require providing basic personal information and paying a non-refundable processing fee of $15,000.
After the initial submission, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will conduct what is described as an "in-depth background check" on each applicant. This vetting process is designed to ensure applicants meet security and legal standards before a visa is issued.
While the Platinum Card is not yet available, a waiting list has been opened on the same website. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis once the program receives the necessary approvals.
Potential Restrictions and Scrutiny
Immigration experts anticipate that standard U.S. sanctions and immigration protocols will apply. "Given standard US immigration and sanctions protocols, individuals from sanctioned countries or those subject to specific restrictions would likely be excluded," noted Casaburi. She added that applicants from certain countries, such as Russia, would likely face intense scrutiny regarding their source of funds.
Despite this, President Trump has suggested that some Russian oligarchs could potentially qualify, stating, "I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people."
Comparing the New Programs to Global Standards
The new U.S. residency cards enter a competitive global market for investment migration. Their structure and cost set them apart from both existing U.S. programs and popular international alternatives.
Versus the U.S. EB-5 Program
Since the 1990s, the primary route for investors seeking U.S. residency has been the EB-5 program. It requires an investment of approximately $1 million into a commercial enterprise that creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs for American workers. Experts note the Gold Card's main advantage is its simplicity.
"What sets the Gold Card apart from existing programmes such as the EB-5 visa is its simplicity, offering a more straightforward, donation-based pathway to residency," Casaburi explained. "For wealthy applicants frustrated by the lengthy green-card backlogs or the complexity of EB-5 projects, the new programme promises an expedited route."
Global Context and Pricing
Compared to many international "golden visa" programs, the U.S. offerings are among the most expensive in the world. Susanna Uzakova of the global investment immigration firm Astons highlighted this difference. "The figures speak for themselves," she said. "In Europe, investment thresholds are measured in hundreds of thousands of euros." For example, Greece offers residency for a real estate investment of as little as €250,000.
However, the $5 million price point of the Platinum Card is not without precedent. The Singapore Global Investor Programme requires a minimum investment of S$10 million (approximately $7.8 million), showing a market exists for premium residency options.
Uncertain Timelines and Final Details
While an executive order has directed the relevant government agencies—including the Departments of Commerce, State, and Homeland Security—to implement the program within 90 days, many details remain unclear.
Key questions about processing times, transparency safeguards, and specific eligibility criteria are still unanswered. Experts suggest that until these procedures are clarified, the established EB-5 program remains the most predictable and legally secure pathway for investment-based immigration to the United States.
