Donald Trump Opens $1M Gold Card Applications as Administration Moves to Screen EU Tourists’ Social Media

The United States is redefining its approach to borders, mobility, and who is welcome inside its territory. In a move that has drawn global attention, the Trump administration has officially opened applications for the Trump Gold Card, a fast-track residency pathway requiring a minimum $1 million contribution, while at the same time proposing mandatory social media disclosure for tourists from European Union countries and other visa-waiver nations.

These two developments, announced within days of each other, are not isolated policy decisions. Together, they illustrate a broader shift in U.S. immigration strategy: privileged access for capital and highly vetted individuals, combined with heightened scrutiny for ordinary travelers—even from long-standing allied nations.

The Trump Gold Card: A $1 Million Fast Track to U.S. Residency

The newly launched Trump Gold Card allows qualified applicants to apply for U.S. residency through a direct financial contribution of $1 million, plus additional processing fees. Unlike traditional investment-based immigration routes, the Gold Card is structured as a donation rather than an investment, meaning applicants are not required to create jobs, manage a business, or place capital at risk in government-approved projects.

President Trump announced the opening of applications on social media, describing the Gold Card as a “direct path to citizenship for all qualified and vetted individuals” and emphasizing its potential to help American companies retain global talent. According to the administration, funds raised through the program will be allocated to a dedicated government account intended to support national priorities.

While the precise regulatory mechanics are still being implemented, the administration has linked the Gold Card to top-tier employment-based immigration categories, such as EB-1 and EB-2, suggesting that applicants who meet professional and security criteria may benefit from expedited processing.

Individual and Corporate Pathways Under the Gold Card Framework

The Trump Gold Card is designed to operate on two levels: individual applicants and corporate sponsors.

• Individual applicants are required to contribute $1 million, plus a processing fee reported at $15,000.

• Corporate sponsors can apply through the Trump Corporate Gold Card, contributing $2 million per sponsored employee.

  
  

For companies, the program includes ongoing costs, such as annual maintenance fees per sponsored worker and additional charges if sponsorship is transferred to another employee. Each transfer requires new background checks and compliance reviews.

This corporate structure clearly targets multinational firms competing for globally mobile executives, senior engineers, and strategic professionals, where immigration delays can directly affect operations and growth.

How the Gold Card Differs From the EB-5 Investor Visa

The Trump Gold Card enters a space long dominated by the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which has been in place since 1990. While both programs require significant capital, their logic differs fundamentally.

EB-5 requires:

• A minimum investment exceeding $1 million

• Mandatory creation of at least 10 U.S. jobs

• Capital placed at risk in approved projects

  
  

The Gold Card, by contrast:

• Requires a donation, not an investment

• Has no job creation requirement

• Prioritizes speed, vetting, and financial contribution over economic development metrics

  
  

This distinction is critical. For some applicants, EB-5 remains attractive due to potential capital recovery. For others—particularly ultra-high-net-worth individuals—the certainty and simplicity of a contribution-based model may be more appealing, provided the legal framework proves stable.

A Parallel Policy Shift: Social Media Screening for EU Tourists

On the same day Gold Card applications opened, U.S. Customs and Border Protection advanced a proposal that would significantly change how tourists enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA).

If adopted, travelers from approximately 40 countries—including EU member states, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan—would be required to provide:

• Social media identifiers covering the previous five years

• Email addresses from the past ten years

• Telephone numbers used during the past five years

• Expanded family and biographical information

• A facial image or selfie for identity verification

  
  

The proposal would make social media disclosure a mandatory requirement for ESTA approval, affecting an estimated 25 million travelers annually.

Authorities argue that this data will improve identity verification and national security screening. Critics, however, warn that such requirements raise serious concerns about privacy, data protection, and freedom of expression, particularly for travelers from jurisdictions with strict digital privacy laws.

Two Policies, One Message: Selectivity Over Volume

When viewed together, the Gold Card launch and the proposed ESTA changes send a consistent message: the United States is prioritizing highly vetted, high-value entrants while increasing friction for short-term visitors.

Wealthy individuals willing to contribute seven figures are offered accelerated access and flexibility. Meanwhile, ordinary tourists—even from allied nations—face deeper scrutiny, broader data collection, and higher compliance burdens.

This approach aligns with a broader “America First” philosophy, emphasizing perceived economic contribution and security over traditional openness. Similar strategies are emerging globally, as governments reassess migration, citizenship, and border control in response to political pressure and security concerns.

Economic and Diplomatic Implications

The timing of these measures has raised questions among travel industry analysts and policymakers. International tourism remains a major economic driver for the United States, and projections already suggest a potential decline in foreign visitor spending compared to previous years.

At the diplomatic level, expanded screening of EU and allied travelers could strain visa-free arrangements that have existed for decades. While the proposal is still subject to a public comment period and potential revisions, its mere introduction signals a shift in tone toward partners who previously enjoyed relatively frictionless entry.

What This Means for Investors, Travelers, and Global Families

For high-net-worth individuals and globally mobile families, these developments underscore the importance of strategic immigration planning. Decisions about U.S. residency now require careful consideration of:

• Legal durability of new programs

• Long-term tax exposure

• Compliance and source-of-funds scrutiny

• Political risk tied to future administrations

  
  

For tourists and business travelers, the message is equally clear: entry into the United States is becoming more data-driven, more selective, and less automatic—even for short stays.

Conclusion

By opening applications for the $1 million Trump Gold Card while simultaneously proposing expanded social media screening for EU tourists, the administration is drawing a sharp line between who is encouraged to enter the United States and under what conditions.

The border is no longer just a checkpoint—it is a filter. And increasingly, that filter is shaped by capital, compliance, and control.

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If you are evaluating U.S. residency options, investor pathways, or want to understand how these policy changes may affect your mobility strategy, our team can assist you with a tailored legal and strategic assessment.

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