The much-publicized “Trump Card” is now officially open for registration, inviting ultra-wealthy individuals from around the world to join a waiting list for what former U.S. President Donald Trump calls a premium pathway to American citizenship. Priced at $5 million, the card promises a privileged route to entering the United States, though it stops short of guaranteeing immediate entry or naturalisation.
Announcing the initiative on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump declared, “For five million dollars, the Trump Card is coming! Thousands have been calling and asking how they can sign up to ride a beautiful road in gaining access to the greatest country and market anywhere in the world.”
The official website — TrumpCard.gov — features a glossy image of the gold-coloured card adorned with Trump’s photo, signature, and name. The application form requires basic information such as name, email, region of origin, and whether the applicant is applying as an individual or through a business entity. Applicants can choose from eight regions: Europe, Asia (including the Middle East), North America, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Oceania, and Africa. A prominent message on the site encourages visitors to register early: “Enter your information below to be notified the moment access opens.”
What the Trump Card Promises — and What It Doesn’t
Although Trump touts the card as a “path to citizenship,” he has clarified that the Trump Card does not grant immediate legal status or U.S. citizenship. Instead, he has described it as “somewhat like a green card, but at a higher level of sophistication.”
According to White House officials, the program does not require congressional approval because it doesn’t provide citizenship directly. Instead, more detailed policy guidelines are expected to be released soon. Under current U.S. immigration law, permanent residents generally must live in the U.S. for five years and meet language, conduct, and residency requirements before becoming eligible for citizenship.
A Replacement for EB-5?
The Trump Card is widely seen as a high-end alternative to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which offers green cards to foreign nationals investing between $800,000 and $1.05 million in U.S.-based job-creating ventures. The EB-5 program has struggled in recent years due to processing backlogs and concerns about fraud and misuse.
In a February announcement, Trump explained the new initiative: “Wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card. They’ll be wealthy, and they’ll be successful, and they’ll be spending a lot of money, and paying a lot of taxes and employing a lot of people.”
He also hinted at a “sponsorship” component, suggesting that high-net-worth individuals could help finance immigration opportunities for talented individuals who may not have the financial means themselves.
Tax Incentives and Global Appeal
One of the card’s biggest draws is its potential tax advantage. Unlike green card holders who are taxed on worldwide income, Trump has indicated that Trump Card holders will only be taxed on income earned within the United States. This feature is expected to appeal particularly to global elites who have historically avoided U.S. residency due to its burdensome tax reporting obligations.
Unlike the EB-5, the Trump Card does not require holders to create American jobs or invest in U.S. businesses. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently claimed that 1,000 cards were snapped up in a single day, despite the program not being fully operational yet. According to Lutnick, an estimated 37 million individuals around the world may be eligible to afford the Trump Card.
Trump himself says he was the first to purchase the card. “I had no idea who would be the second,” he remarked. However, the program is not intended for existing American citizens.
As the Trump Card moves from announcement to implementation, it remains to be seen whether it will reshape U.S. investor immigration — or stir new legal and political controversies over who gets to buy their way into the American dream.
