https://www.alainguillot.com/5-million-golden-visas-are-selling-well/

In previous video I spoke about the immigration Gold Card, where for $5 million, people from other countries can become U.S. residents and subsequently apply for U.S. Citizenship.

Well, those golden visas are selling well.

This is a practice used in many countries such as Portugal or the UAE.

From the U.S. perspective, it’s much better to get an immigrant who on day 1 contributes to the U.S. economy $5 million, that another sort of immigrants that on day starts taking advantage of the U.S. social net system.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said:
“You have a green card. This is a gold card… and wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card.”

The plan, according to Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, is to replace the EB-5 visa program, which historically allowed foreigners to invest in job-creating U.S. projects in exchange for a green card. The EB-5 was slower, less direct, and often bogged down by bureaucracy and wait times. The new gold card offers a streamlined alternative: residency within weeks, not months or years.

Lutnick emphasized the vetting process, saying only “wonderful world-class global citizens” would qualify. But the core idea is clear — if you’ve got $5 million to spare, you can skip the line.

The idea reportedly came from billionaire investor John Paulson, who asked Trump: Why give away visas when we can sell them? Trump then called Lutnick, and the gold card was born. It’s not a unique idea — countries like Portugal and the UAE have had similar golden visa programs for years, using them to attract wealthy global citizens, real estate investors, and entrepreneurs.

What’s different here is the unapologetic framing. It’s not about job creation or economic stimulation. It’s about selling access. If you have the cash, you get the key.

From an economic perspective, this makes sense. It’s better to get an immigrant who on day one contributes $5 million to the economy, than someone who might start by using public services.

Let’s be honest — the U.S. immigration system is already a mess. Skilled workers wait years. Refugees and asylum seekers navigate a Kafkaesque maze. But now, if you’re rich enough, you can skip it all.

If you can pay to skip the line in Disneyworld, or in the airport when boarding an airplane, why not when becoming a resident?

It also deepens a broader global trend: Citizenship is becoming a luxury item. And like all luxury items, it’s not for everyone.

The golden visa is both an economic strategy and a political message. It says: We’re open for business — if you can afford the price tag.

For some, it’s a smart move that attracts investment and global talent. For others, it’s yet another reminder that in today’s world, wealth doesn’t just buy privilege — it can buy a passport too.

The Business of BordersFairness or Favoritism?Final Thoughts