On June 12, 2025, the U.S. government quietly released TrumpCard.gov, the official portal for the proposed $5 million “Gold Card” visa. Within minutes, the site featured a gold-foil mock-up bearing Trump’s face and signature, and a basic form asking for name, email, region (from eight options—e.g., Europe, Asia), and whether you’re applying as an individual or business. Submitters receive a code and confirmation message: “Your Journey Begins. You’ll be the first to hear when access opens.”
Despite its official design, the portal lacks substantial detail—no payment system, no document uploads, and no information on vetting timelines or legal criteria.
Trump’s Vision: A “Higher Level of Sophistication” for Wealthy Immigrants
The Gold Card was first publicly floated by President Trump in February 2025, alongside Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Trump described it as “like the green card, but better and more sophisticated,” envisioned as a fast-track route to U.S. residency and citizenship for affluent, vetted investors.
Trump and Lutnick projected enormous revenue potential—$5 trillion if one million cards are sold, or $1 trillion for 200,000—framing it as a tool to pay down national debt. Trump emphasized his vetting promise: “These are going to be great people… bring businesses and opportunity to America.”
User Journey: What the Website Actually Offers
So far, TrumpCard.gov serves primarily as a lead-capture portal:
- Visitors provide their name, email, region, and status (individual/business for multiple applicants).
- The page displays only the aesthetic: Trump’s signature, gold design, the tagline “The Trump Card is coming”.
- There’s no declaration on application process, payment, eligibility, job creation, or legal oversight—only a vague reassurance about future notifications.
Market Response: Enthusiasm Meets Skepticism
- Immediate interest: Commercial figures estimate 15,000 to 25,000 registrations within hours, including interest from across Asia, South America, and Africa.
- Vaporware critique: Media outlets like Al Jazeera and Fast Company criticized the site’s lack of substance—calling it “amateurish” and warning that without a legal or procedural foundation it’s mere marketing.
- Legal uncertainty: U.S. law experts point out that any new visa requires Congressional authorization; an executive-driven initiative could be reverted at will.
- Performance doubts: Analysts caution that without transactional infrastructure—payments, vetting, legal integration—many leads may never convert to actual residency holders.
Comparing Gold Card to EB‐5
- EB‐5: Requires a minimum investment of $800,000–$1.05 million and the creation or preservation of 10 U.S. jobs, backed by legislative authority and USCIS oversight.
- Gold Card: Proposes a $5 million flat fee, but public details are limited. A vetting process is indicated, though unclear. No framework on job creation, residency duration, or application steps
has been released. - Legislative basis: EB‐5 functions under clear statutory authority. Gold Card lacks this—its implementation may require new legislation, failing which it risks being an executive stunt with
no durability.
Final Take: Prestige vs. Practicality
TrumpCard.gov repositions U.S. residency as a luxury service—if you have the capital, here’s your ticket. For ultra-wealthy individuals, it offers speed and exclusivity but right now, it’s more symbol than substance: a glossy portal with no clear pathway to actual residency or citizenship.
Until legislation is passed, regulatory mechanisms are defined, and vetting standards are revealed, the Gold Card remains largely aspirational. It reflects a bold and controversial shift toward treating national identity as a commodity. But for investors and advisors alike, the message is simple: this is a concept in motion, not a reality yet and will only truly matter once it’s built on law and process.
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