Donald Trump announced the launch of the waitlist for the “Golden Visa,” a potential new pathway to U.S. citizenship, but immigration attorneys claim its approval would require legislative changes that do not yet exist.
President Donald Trump recently announced the launch of a waitlist for the so-called “Trump Card,” a proposed Golden Visa aimed at ultra-wealthy foreign nationals willing to invest $5 million in exchange for permanent residency—and potentially U.S. citizenship.
The announcement came via Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, along with a link to a new website where interested individuals can register by providing their name, world region, and whether they are applying as an individual or a company.
However, the initiative has already raised red flags among legal experts, who warn that the visa does not currently exist under U.S. law and that implementing it would require Congressional approval—something that is not underway.
What Do We Know About the Trump Card?
The official website does not outline any launch dates, eligibility criteria, or specific benefits. It only states that registrants will be “notified when access opens.” The site features Trump’s photo, signature, and name—but lacks any official endorsement from federal agencies.
Trump has suggested that this new Golden Visa could eventually replace the current EB-5 program, saying it would attract people “ready to spend a lot of money, pay a lot of taxes, and employ many people.”
Legal Experts: “This Is Not a Viable Visa Today”
Marisa Casablanca, a renowned U.S. immigration attorney, says the plan has no legal foundation at this stage.
“It’s a very interesting concept,” Casablanca noted, “but any new category of green card or citizenship would require changes to the legal codes—both the immigration code and the tax code. None of that has happened yet.”
“It’s a very interesting concept, but any new category of green card or citizenship requires changes to the legal codes—both the immigration code and the tax code. None of that has happened yet,” she explained.
She added that a tax attorney she consulted confirmed that no necessary changes have been made to the tax code, nor is there any Congressional action underway to approve such changes, so she does not see this program materializing in the near future.
Political Stunt or Real Policy?
Elon Musk, who currently leads the newly created “Department of Government Efficiency” in the Trump administration, claimed the website is part of a “soft launch test” ahead of a formal rollout. However, no federal agency has confirmed these trials, and no official regulations have been published.
For now, many immigration lawyers and policy analysts view the announcement as a campaign marketing tactic rather than a credible immigration reform.
What Are the Real Legal Options for Investors?
While the “Trump Card” remains speculative and legally unsupported, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program continues to be the most legitimate and established path to a U.S. green card through investment.
With a minimum investment of $800,000 in a project that creates at least 10 jobs for American workers, EB-5 allows applicants to gain permanent residency and later apply for U.S. citizenship after five years. Additionally, since 2022, concurrent filing is permitted, accelerating the adjustment of status process for those already legally in the U.S.
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