Trump Launches $1 Million ‘Gold Card’ Visa to Fast-Track U.S. Residency for Wealthy Foreigners

President Donald Trump has unveiled a new immigration pathway known as the “Gold Card” visa, allowing foreign nationals to obtain expedited U.S. residency by paying $1 million, while companies can sponsor foreign workers for $2 million.

Announced during a White House roundtable on Wednesday, Trump described the initiative as “very exciting” and said it would deliver U.S. residency in record time.

According to the official portal, trumpcard.gov, which went live on Wednesday afternoon, applicants must first pay a $15,000 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) processing fee. Following background clearance, successful applicants may receive lawful permanent resident status under EB-1 or EB-2 categories—employment-based visas reserved for individuals with extraordinary or exceptional abilities.

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The website states that processing will take only “weeks” and includes an interview phase. Additional documents and State Department fees may be required depending on the applicant.

The portal also teases a more exclusive option—the “Trump Platinum Card”, which will cost $5 million and allow eligible foreign nationals to spend up to 270 days in the United States without paying U.S. taxes on non-U.S. income. Interested applicants can already join a waiting list and will pay a $15,000 DHS processing fee once the programme officially begins.

“When launched… they will have the ability to spend up to 270 days in the United States without being subject to U.S. taxes on non-U.S. income,” the website states.

The new visa category signals a major shift in U.S. immigration under the Trump administration, prioritising wealth-based entry, fast-tracked processing and high-value investment into the American economy.

Trump Launches $1 Million ‘Gold Card’ Visa to Fast-Track U.S. Residency for Wealthy Foreigners

Trump Plans Executive Order to Centralize AI Regulation, Bypass State Laws

U.S President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he intends to issue an executive order aimed at stripping US states of the authority to regulate the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence (AI) industry. Trump argued that a single national rulebook is essential to maintain US leadership in AI.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized that state-level regulations could hinder America’s competitive edge in the global AI race, affecting sectors from economic innovation to military technology. “We are beating ALL COUNTRIES at this point in the race, but that won’t last long if we are going to have 50 States, many of them bad actors, involved in RULES and the APPROVAL PROCESS,” he wrote.

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Trump’s move follows Congressional resistance, where lawmakers from both parties have expressed concerns about the economic and social risks of AI and have twice declined proposals to override state laws on AI regulation.

The proposed executive order, intended to enforce a centralized AI framework, is expected to generate political opposition and likely face legal challenges. Trump insisted that without a unified national approach, AI innovation could be “destroyed in its infancy,” signaling his intent to act swiftly with a “One Rule” policy.

Trump Plans Executive Order to Centralize AI Regulation, Bypass State Laws

Indonesia Flood Disaster: Death Toll Exceeds 900 as Search for Hundreds Continues

The death toll from the catastrophic Indonesia floods has risen to more than 900, with hundreds still missing as rescuers struggle to reach communities cut off by last week’s rare and powerful cyclone over the Malaca Strait. The storm unleashed torrential rain and severe landslides, destroying over 100,000 homes across multiple regions.

Authorities say relief efforts remain extremely challenging, with aid being air-dropped into isolated areas where roads and bridges have been washed away. The deadly floods form part of a chain of recent extreme weather disasters across Asia, bringing the combined regional death toll — including in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam — close to 2,000.

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In Aceh Tamiang, among the worst-hit districts, survivors described entire villages being swept away by surging waters. Residents of Lintang Bawah Village told the BBC Indonesian service that many families survived only by taking refuge on rooftops.

Fitriana, a survivor, recounted how some villagers endured three days without food or water as they clung to their homes: “Ninety percent of the houses in our village were destroyed,” she said, leaving 300 families displaced.

Another survivor described fleeing twice — first from his own home as floodwaters reached the second floor, and then again from a nearby village inundated overnight:
“While we were sleeping, water soaked the mattresses. There was no higher ground. We survived by climbing to the second floor of my daughter-in-law’s house.”

Indonesian authorities continue emergency operations as hopes fade for those still unaccounted for. The government has pledged expanded humanitarian support as the scale of the disaster becomes clearer.

Indonesia Flood Disaster: Death Toll Exceeds 900 as Search for Hundreds Continues

BBC