Trump Gold Card: US Launches New Express Visa Scheme Costing $1 Million

• Donald Trump has introduced the Trump Gold Card, offering fast-tracked US visas for wealthy foreigners
• There will be different versions of the card, including one for Businesses sponsoring visas for their employees
• This visa scheme comes as the Trump administration has devoted significant resources to deporting immigrants

US President Donald Trump has launched a scheme offering fast-tracked US visas to wealthy foreigners who can pay at least $1 million.

The card is expected to give buyers a direct path to Citizenship for all qualified and vetted people.

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The Trump Gold Card is a US visa awarded to those who can demonstrate they will provide the country a substantial benefit.

This development comes amid the US’ continued immigration crackdown, raising work visa fees and deporting undocumented migrants.

Businesses sponsoring employees are required to pay $2 million, along with additional fees.

In addition, a "platinum" version of the card that offers special tax breaks will also be available for $5 million.

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BBC reported that extra fees to the government may be charged depending on each applicant's circumstances.

Individuals are also required to pay a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee before their application is reviewed.

The gold card scheme has faced criticism since it was first announced in February, because of fears it would unfairly favour wealthy individuals.

The scheme comes as the Trump administration cracks down on immigration from the developing world.

For example, Trump has said he will permanently pause migration to the US from Ghana and all other third-world countries.

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The US has also paused immigration applications by individuals from 19 countries, mostly in Africa and the Middle East.

Ghanaians now paying more for US visa

Ghanaians and other persons planning to travel to the US on non-immigrant visas have been paying an additional $250 as part of a new policy introduced by the Trump administration.

The new visa integrity fee started on July 4, was part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, which was signed into law on July 4, 2025.

The fee applies to all non-immigrant visa holders, including tourists, students, and temporary workers from Ghana and other countries that do not qualify for the US Visa Waiver Programme.

The US is also considering requiring foreign nationals from certain countries to pay a $15,000 deposit for a tourist or business visa.

US Visa ban threat to Ghana

In June, the Trump administration considered restricting Ghanaians from travelling to the US, along with 35 other nationalities.

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At the time, over 20 African nations were facing visa bans or other restrictions.

A State Department memo was sent to US diplomats who work with the countries.

Before that, Togo was among 19 countries slapped with travel restrictions by the Trump administration.

At the time, Ghana was given 60 days to meet new benchmarks and requirements established by the State Department.

Ghanaians overstaying US visas

YEN.com.gh reported that Ghana has been flagged as one of the African countries with high visa overstay rates in the US.

These findings were outlined in a United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Fiscal Year 2023 Entry/Exit Overstay Report.

The report noted that Ghanaian travellers admitted for business or pleasure on B1/B2 visas recorded a 7.50% total overstay rate.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh