The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), overseen by Elon Musk, is advancing a plan to introduce a high-value immigration visa program dubbed the “Gold Card.” Valued at $5 million per visa, the initiative represents a shift in DOGE’s strategy—from reducing government expenditure to creating new revenue channels.
This new visa category is designed for affluent individuals seeking expedited residency in the United States. Replacing the traditional EB-5 visa program, the Gold Card aims to accelerate processing timelines dramatically, reducing the path to permanent residency to approximately two weeks. While the EB-5 program requires investments between $800,000 and $1.05 million and brought in around $4 billion last year, the Gold Card proposes a premium path to the same outcome, targeted at the ultra-wealthy.
According to The New York Times, a joint team of engineers, members of Musk’s organization, and officials from the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security is currently building the digital infrastructure for the program, which includes the website and application system.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently mentioned on a podcast that 1,000 Gold Cards had already been sold in a single day. However, no official confirmation or financial transactions have been publicly verified.
The cards, promoted as a modern version of the green card, will offer permanent residency to holders under the condition that they comply with US laws. The project’s promotional materials reportedly feature former President Donald Trump’s image alongside patriotic symbols such as the Statue of Liberty and a bald eagle. These are expected to be finalized and available within a short timeframe.
The program has not been without controversy. Marko Elez, a leading figure within DOGE, stepped down after links surfaced between him and a pseudonymous online profile tied to racist content. Despite the resignation, he remains active within other areas of government. In addition, Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb, has been contributing to the broader modernization efforts, having initially joined to improve systems related to federal employee retirements.
Critics have raised concerns about the program’s high cost and the implications of fast-tracking residency for wealthy applicants. The streamlined process and bypassing of traditional immigration routes have stirred debate over equity and long-term impacts on immigration policy. The system is expected to launch imminently, with software development reportedly in its final stages.
