President Donald Trump launched a three-tier visa program on Friday that requires $1 million payments for permanent US residency, introduces $2 million corporate cards with employee transferability, and announces $5 million platinum cards for extended stays without foreign income taxation.
The Gold Card program replaces Trump’s original February proposal for a single $5 million card, instead creating separate tracks for individuals, corporations, and wealthy visitors. The administration has mandated implementation within 90 days across three federal departments.
Trump positioned the initiative as a deficit reduction tool during the Oval Office signing ceremony. “They’re going to spend a lot of money to come in,” he told reporters. “It’s going to raise billions of dollars, billions and billions of dollars, which is going to go to reduce taxes, pay off debt, and for other good things.”
The $5 million Platinum Card, pending congressional approval, allows holders to “spend up to 270 days in the United States without paying U.S. taxes on non-U.S. income.”
This structure allows wealthy individuals to remain outside traditional tax residency parameters while providing nearly nine months of annual US access.
Gold Card holders are subject to taxation “similarly to other permanent residents and citizens,” while Platinum Card recipients retain their foreign tax status despite spending extensive time in the US.
The official website warns prospective Platinum Card applicants to “join the waitlist now, as officials will process them on a first-come, first-served basis.” This messaging suggests the administration anticipates substantial demand despite the unprecedented pricing.
