Trump’s “Golden Visa” Appears in U.S. Immigration Forms

A new immigration category called Trump Card Visa has quietly appeared in U.S. immigration forms, specifically in pre-screening systems such as Global Entry. The digital infrastructure for the program is being developed by a new federal entity called DOGE, reportedly tied to Elon Musk. According to WIRED, the official platform trumpcard.gov has already been integrated into several U.S. government systems.

What Is the Trump Card Visa?

Announced by President Donald Trump on February 26, 2025, the Trump Card Visa is a proposed replacement for the EB-5 visa program. The new initiative offers U.S. residency for a $5 million investment, without requirements to create jobs or target specific economic sectors. Trump claims the program could generate up to $5 trillion if it attracts 1 million applicants.

How It Works and Where It Stands

The platform trumpcard.gov was registered in March 2025 and now includes subdomains linked to USCIS and CBP. Though the visa category is not yet formally approved by Congress, the program is operational on a technical level. Over 250,000 individuals have expressed interest, and 1,000 visas were reportedly “issued” on the first day—raising $5 billion, though the issuance mechanism remains unclear.

According to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the demand for Trump Card Visas has far exceeded expectations.

Federal Integration and Elon Musk’s Involvement

The DOGE agency, created by Trump to modernize federal digital services, is reportedly managed by Marko Elez and Edward Koristin, both associated with Musk-led initiatives. WIRED reports the system is integrated into:

USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)

CBP (Customs and Border Protection)

U.S. State Department

Applicants can now find a "Trump Card Visa applicant" checkbox in the Global Entry system. Eligible countries include China, Russia, Ukraine, and South Korea, while Canada is excluded (under its separate NEXUS program).

Legal Status and Political Debate

Despite being publicly announced, the Trump Card Visa is not yet codified in law. Creating a new visa category requires Congressional approval, as emphasized by legal experts and The National Law Review.

Critics argue that the program is legally questionable and ethically controversial. Professor Lori Nessel (Seton Hall Law School) called it a signal of “who the country wants,” while Rep. Jake Auchincloss labeled it "corrupt." Rep. Ro Khanna urged the government to focus on visas for skilled professionals, not ultra-wealthy investors.

Legal Challenges Ahead?

Analysts at the Cato Institute and Roll Call suggest the attempt to bypass Congress may face legal action. While the program’s digital launch is almost complete, its legislative approval is uncertain. Observers note that DOGE’s deep involvement in immigration marks a shift in federal power dynamics—and possibly the start of a new tech-driven era in U.S. visa processing.