Tesla chief Elon Musk on Sunday stated that the US government is “doing a quiet trial” of the $5 million Gold Card visa proposed by President Donald Trump earlier this year, with a public rollout planned after testing, though details about the costly pathway to citizenship remain limited.
In response to a user on X, Musk wrote: “We’re doing a quiet trial to make sure the system works properly. Once it is fully tested, it will be rolled out to the public with an announcement by the President.”
The Gold Card visa programme, announced by President Trump in February 2025, offers US residency and a pathway to citizenship for foreign nationals investing $5 million in the country. “We are going to be selling a Gold Card,” Trump said. “We are going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million. It’s going to give you green-card privileges plus it’s going to be a route to American citizenship, and wealthy people would be coming into our country by buying this card.”
Trump provided no details on the strategy or implementation of the Gold Card visa programme, stating only: “We’re going to sell a Gold Card. We’re planning to charge around $5 million for the card, which will grant you green-card privileges.”
According to US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick, the Gold Card could replace the EB-5 programme, which grants permanent residency to foreign investors and their immediate families who invest a minimum amount in a US business and create or preserve at least ten American jobs.
Addressing reporters in February 2025, Trump said vetting standards for Gold Card visa applicants were under discussion, noting that the programme would allow individuals to pay the US government for citizenship, with funds potentially used to reduce national debt.
When asked if restrictions would apply to specific nations, Trump clarified that limitations would not be based on nationality but would adhere to eligibility laws. “We want to make sure we have people that love our country and are capable of loving the country,” he stated.
