In a shocking gesture, U.S. President Donald Trump has said his government has started accepting applications for the new “Trump Card” that promises possible permanent residency for $5 million.
Trump released a dedicated website for potential applicants, asking them to express their interest, on Wednesday. The website, TrumpCard.gov, prompts visitors to leave their name, region, and email address and state whether they are applying individually or as companies in order to get updates when applications are open.
Thousands have been calling, inquiring how to get access to a gorgeous road to the Greatest Country and Market in the World,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “It’s named THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE WAITING LIST IS NOW OPEN.
The Trump Card was initially floated in February, with the president labeling it a “gold card” that not only would provide residency but also work permits and a path to citizenship for high-net-worth applicants. “They’ll be rich, successful, spending lots of money, paying taxes, and hiring many people,” he stressed then.
Trump unveiled a sample of the card in April—a gold-colored visa with his photo—during an Air Force One press briefing. Senior administration officials have hinted that this new card could supplant the current EB-5 immigrant investor visa program, which grants permanent residency in return for a minimum investment of $1.05 million, or $800,000 in economically struggling regions.
Specifics about other qualifications for applicants are still unclear, though the Trump administration has stated that there will be a vetting process. In current immigration legislation, legal permanent residents may apply for naturalization after five years if they show a general knowledge of English, good moral character, and a commitment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution.
