A dedicated portal, ‘Trumpcard.gov’, has gone live with an “apply now” option that requires a $15,000 fee for quick processing by the Department of Homeland Security.

After background checks, applicants must then make a $1 million contribution, which the website also describes as a ‘gift’, to qualify for the visa. The program presents it as a stronger version of a Green Card, giving the right to live and work in the US.

Trump told reporters that the Gold Card is “much better” and “much more powerful” than a regular Green Card, adding that only “great people” would be able to get it.

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Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said around 10,000 people had already pre-registered and predicted the scheme would raise “billions, billions of dollars” for the government.

He claimed the program would attract people who would contribute more to the US economy than average Green Card holders.

The initiative comes as Trump’s administration continues strict measures on immigration, removing large numbers of undocumented migrants and limiting legal immigration pathways.

Lutnick added that companies can also apply for a corporate Gold Card, allowing them to bring employees to the US quickly through a $2m contribution per worker.