US President Donald Trump has launched a gold card programme that that provides affluent foreigners who can pay at least $1 million with expedited citizenship.
In a Truth Social post on Wednesday, Trump announced the card’s availability along with an application webpage.
To apply, an applicant must pay a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), after which a background approval and a subsequent payment of $1 million must be made to receive US residency in “record time”.
“Additional small fees to the U.S. Department of State may apply depending on the applicant,” the website noted.
Additionally, a different corporate gold card was introduced that required companies sponsoring staff to spend $2 million plus other costs.
A one percent annual maintenance fee and a five percent transfer fee, which covers the cost of a fresh DHS background check, apply to the corporate gold card.
A second platinum card, valued at $5 million, was also announced. Though not yet launched, the card will exempt successful applicants from certain taxes.
Successful applicants will be exempt from paying taxes on non-US income for up to 270 days while in the US.
The plan coincides with the Trump administration’s escalation of its anti-immigration campaign, which has resulted in the deportation of millions of “illegal” immigrants and an effort to eliminate the legal birthright citizenship framework for children of undocumented immigrants.
Earlier this year, Trump proposed the idea, speculating that millions of these cards may be sold.
This means that the Gold card is now one of the priciest paths to citizenship following the official launch.
Globally, citizenship by investment programs typically cost between $250,000 and €750,000.
Globally, citizenship by investment programs typically cost between $250,000 and €750,000.
The gold card scheme has drawn criticism from rights organisations, who claim it goes against the US’s longstanding reputation as a haven for the downtrodden and hard-working poor.
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