Elon Musk shares update on DonaldTrump's gold card visa: ‘Quietly being tested’

Sharing the update, Elon Musk also said that the programme will be rolled out by President Trump after being fully tested.

Published on: May 12, 2025, 15:43:24 IST

By HT News Desk

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The Gold Card visa programme, which was introduced by United States President Donald Trump in February this year, is being “quietly” tested to determine whether the system works properly or not, said billionaire and Trump’s close aide Elon Musk.

President Donald Trump holds up the gold card on April 3, 2025. The card offers citizenship to immigrants in exchange for a whopping premium of $5 million. (AP)

Sharing the update, Elon Musk also said that the programme will be rolled out by President Donald Trump after being fully tested.

In a reply to a post on X, Elon Musk wrote, “We’re doing a quiet trial to make sure the system works properly. Once it is fully tested, it will be rolled out to the public with an announcement by the President.”

The post to which Elon Musk replied is not visible in India.

What is the Gold Card visa program?

The Gold Card visa programme has been introduced as a premium version of the highly sought-after Green Card. It offers citizenship to immigrants in exchange for a whopping premium of $5 million.

“We're gonna be selling a gold card. You have a green card, this is a gold card. We're gonna be putting a price on that card of about $5 million and that's gonna give you green card privileges plus,” Trump had said while introducing the card in February.

In February, US’ Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick had said that the ‘Trump Gold Card’ would be rolled out within two weeks and would replace the EB-5 visas. However, months later, Musk says that the card is still being tested.

EB-5 visa was created by Congress in 1990 to generate foreign investment and are available to people who spend about $1 million on a company that employs at least 10 people.

What does the Gold Card visa mean for Indians?

Donald Trump’s Gold Card visa could be a game-changer for India’s richest. It offers a much faster and simpler route to US residents as compared to the EB-5 investor visa or the H-1B to green card process.

Under the Gold Card visa, Trump made no mention of the requirements for job creation.

However, the premium card doesn’t come as a relief to any ordinary middle class person seeking US citizenship.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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