As the U.S. government rolls out the “Trump Gold Card” visa to lure wealthy, top-tier talent to live and work in America, it is also moving to vet the social media accounts of visa-free travelers—all in the name of keeping “bad actors” out. Whether Trump’s grand strategy pays off hinges on whether the so-called “distinguished individuals” he aims to attract will buy into it. Even before the plan to retroactively review five years of social media records for visa-free citizens from over 40 countries, including Singapore, has taken effect, it has already sparked widespread frustration among travelers worldwide.

“Pay $1 million and get permanent residency, or face an in-depth background check that digs into your entire family history?”“I thought this was visa-free travel—so why all the extra checks?”“This is outrageous! I’m just here to travel, not a terrorist.”

The U.S. recently launched the controversial “Trump Gold Card” visa program, offering permanent residency in exchange for a $1 million donation. But it is a proposed new entry screening rule for travelers, announced simultaneously, that has already triggered a storm of online complaints and criticism before its implementation.

On December 10, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced plans to require foreign visitors to submit five years of social media records. The new rule will apply to all 42 countries and regions participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), including most European allies like the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, as well as key Asia-Pacific partners such as Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

Currently, citizens of these nations need only obtain approval via the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before departure to stay visa-free in the U.S. for up to 90 days, a process that is relatively straightforward. In the future, they may face unprecedented digital scrutiny—not just of their account details, but a deep dive into their social media history.

Per the DHS notice, social media information will shift from an optional field to a mandatory one, becoming a core component of entry screenings.

Under the new rules, VWP citizens applying for ESTA will be required to disclose social media activity from the past five years. They must also provide additional personal data “where feasible,” including all email addresses used in the past decade, phone numbers from the last five years, and the full names, dates of birth, places of birth, and current residences of their parents, spouse, siblings, and children. Applicants will also need to upload a selfie for facial recognition and identity verification.

Trump Dismisses Fears of Harming Tourism

Addressing the social media screening plan, Trump emphasized: “We want safety, security, and to ensure that those who should not enter our country are kept out.” He insisted he is not worried about the measure hurting U.S. tourism.


New York’s Statue of Liberty stands as one of America’s most iconic attractions. If the Trump administration’s social media vetting for visa-free travelers takes effect, it could well deter many from planning trips to the U.S., Reuters file photos show.

Professor Todd Belt, director of the Political Management Program at George Washington University, told Lianhe Zaobao that U.S. inbound tourism has already dropped sharply. “I don’t think Trump is unwelcoming tourists. I believe this is an overreaction to the attack on National Guard members a few weeks ago.”

On November 26, two National Guard soldiers were shot in Washington, D.C. The gunman was an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 through the Afghan resettlement program launched under then-President Joe Biden. In the wake of the shooting, Trump vowed to permanently suspend immigration from all Third World countries.

Belt noted: “The main problem with screening social media for VWP visitors is that it targets travelers from nations with close ties to the U.S.—which seems illogical.”

Historically, such screenings have been reserved for citizens of specific high-risk countries or higher-security visa categories.

“This could strain relations with close allies, who may view the measure as treating them as potential security threats. It may also prompt reciprocal screening of U.S. travelers by these countries.”

Analysis: U.S. Social Media Checks Harsher Than China’s Border Policies

The social media screening proposal will undergo a 60-day public comment period and further review by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If approved, it could take effect as early as February 8 next year.

Even before the rule is finalized, the administration’s intent has drawn widespread international attention and strong pushback.

Bethany Allen, director of the China Initiative at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), argued that the Trump administration’s social media screening plan is stricter than China’s border policies: “Not even China does this.”


U.S. Senator Patty Murray, a senior Democrat from Washington state, criticized the measure sharply: “They might as well just ban travel outright. Who besides [Homeland Security Advisor] Stephen Miller would push for something like this?”

Cracking down on immigration ranks among Trump’s key campaign pledges. Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff and homeland security advisor, is the architect of his hardline immigration policies.

Trump Gold Card: $1M Donation for Expedited Residency

On December 10, the U.S. government officially rolled out the “Trump Gold Card” visa program, offering a costly fast-track pathway to U.S. residency for foreign nationals seeking to settle in the country.


For now, the program offers one active pathway: the “Trump Gold Card.” Applicants must pay a $15,000 non-refundable fee (approximately S$19,400) and make a $1 million donation to prove they will deliver substantial benefits to the U.S. In return, they receive permanent residency, allowing them to work and live in the U.S. and eventually pursue citizenship. Both the fee and donation are non-refundable.

Unlike the existing EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa, the Gold Card does not require applicants to create a certain number of jobs or invest in U.S. businesses. Nor does it subject them to the years-long, cumbersome screening process faced by traditional green card seekers.

Per the official application website Trumpcard.gov, the process takes only a few weeks after submission.

Trump has described the Gold Card as essentially a green card—“but more premium, more powerful, with a smoother pathway.” He stressed that applicants must be “distinguished individuals”.

A corporate version is also available, enabling companies to fast-track visas for employees at a rate of $2 million per worker. U.S. Commerce Secretary Rohit Chopra revealed that roughly 10,000 people pre-registered for the Gold Card, with expectations of selling thousands more in the future and raising billions, or even tens of billions, of dollars for the federal government.


A higher-tier “Trump Platinum Card” option is in the works, requiring a $5 million donation. Cardholders would be allowed to stay in the U.S. for up to 270 days annually and would not have to pay U.S. taxes on foreign income. This pathway has not yet launched.

Trump argues the Gold Card will ensure U.S. businesses can retain valuable talent while boosting federal coffers. The Republican president has repeatedly criticized his predecessor Joe Biden’s immigration policies as overly lax, claiming an influx of low-skilled migrants strains social resources, takes jobs from American workers, and that traditional skilled immigration channels are inefficient and poorly aligned with U.S. needs.

A businessman by background, Trump believes high-net-worth immigrants bring direct capital injections, entrepreneurial investment, higher tax contributions due to their income levels, and drive premium consumption. The administration frames the Gold Card as a way to align future immigration flows with U.S. development priorities, advancing the core agenda of “Make America Great Again” (MAGA).

However, some U.S. Democrats and immigrant rights advocates have slammed the Gold Card as unfairly prioritizing the wealthy and effectively “selling citizenship”.

Experts Warn of Policy Uncertainty Under Future Administrations

The program—launched quickly without congressional approval—has also faced legal challenges.

Shira Levine, formerly ousted by the Trump administration and now deputy legal director at the San Francisco Bay Area Immigrant Research Institute, argued the Gold Card bypasses normal legal procedures. The government has also failed to ensure the public receives accurate information or access to legal advice. She told Axios: “We have built a system where people are kept in the dark about the law. Everyone is left guessing how the Trump administration and its appointees interpret the rules—not what the rules actually say.”

The Trump administration maintains it is leveraging existing channels and does not need legislative approval.

Under the U.S. Constitution, sitting presidents hold broad executive authority over immigration, but creating new visa categories or residency pathways requires congressional approval. Presidents can shape immigration via executive orders and policy changes, yet Congress holds final authority to pass or amend immigration laws, including visa programs.


The gleaming Trump Gold Card features the U.S. president’s portrait and signature, with the Statue of Liberty as its backdrop, AFP reported.

Contradictory Policies Spark Backlash

Amid constitutional disputes over the Gold Card, its market demand remains uncertain. Long-term validity of residency is a top concern for immigrant investors, and policy unpredictability will likely dampen their willingness to invest.

Legal experts warn that if there is a change in administration, the Gold Card could face forced adjustments or even termination over legal issues.

The launch of the Gold Card and the announcement of the social media screening plan send a clear signal from the White House: the country wants only wealthy, highly skilled individuals—after strict vetting—to enter or settle, not the large numbers of tourists deemed to offer little to national interests.

Professor Belt told Lianhe Zaobao: “Indeed, when it comes to long-term residency and permanent status, Trump has made it clear he favors those who ‘create rather than take’—individuals with wealth who create jobs, not those who fraudulently exploit government services. So I see the tighter social media checks as tied to national security, while the Gold Card’s focus on attracting talent aligns with Trump’s vision of making the country wealthier.”

As the U.S. government rolls out the “Trump Gold Card” visa to lure wealthy, top-tier talent to live and work in America, it is also moving to vet the social media accounts of visa-free travelers—all in the name of keeping “bad actors” out. Whether Trump’s grand strategy pays off hinges on whether the so-called “distinguished individuals” he aims to attract will buy into it. Even before the plan to retroactively review five years of social media records for visa-free citizens from over 40 countries, including Singapore, has taken effect, it has already sparked widespread frustration among travelers worldwide.

“Pay $1 million and get permanent residency, or face an in-depth background check that digs into your entire family history?”“I thought this was visa-free travel—so why all the extra checks?”“This is outrageous! I’m just here to travel, not a terrorist.”

The U.S. recently launched the controversial “Trump Gold Card” visa program, offering permanent residency in exchange for a $1 million donation. But it is a proposed new entry screening rule for travelers, announced simultaneously, that has already triggered a storm of online complaints and criticism before its implementation.

On December 10, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced plans to require foreign visitors to submit five years of social media records. The new rule will apply to all 42 countries and regions participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), including most European allies like the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, as well as key Asia-Pacific partners such as Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

Currently, citizens of these nations need only obtain approval via the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before departure to stay visa-free in the U.S. for up to 90 days, a process that is relatively straightforward. In the future, they may face unprecedented digital scrutiny—not just of their account details, but a deep dive into their social media history.

Per the DHS notice, social media information will shift from an optional field to a mandatory one, becoming a core component of entry screenings.

Under the new rules, VWP citizens applying for ESTA will be required to disclose social media activity from the past five years. They must also provide additional personal data “where feasible,” including all email addresses used in the past decade, phone numbers from the last five years, and the full names, dates of birth, places of birth, and current residences of their parents, spouse, siblings, and children. Applicants will also need to upload a selfie for facial recognition and identity verification.

Trump Dismisses Fears of Harming Tourism

Addressing the social media screening plan, Trump emphasized: “We want safety, security, and to ensure that those who should not enter our country are kept out.” He insisted he is not worried about the measure hurting U.S. tourism.


New York’s Statue of Liberty stands as one of America’s most iconic attractions. If the Trump administration’s social media vetting for visa-free travelers takes effect, it could well deter many from planning trips to the U.S., Reuters file photos show.

Professor Todd Belt, director of the Political Management Program at George Washington University, told Lianhe Zaobao that U.S. inbound tourism has already dropped sharply. “I don’t think Trump is unwelcoming tourists. I believe this is an overreaction to the attack on National Guard members a few weeks ago.”

On November 26, two National Guard soldiers were shot in Washington, D.C. The gunman was an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 through the Afghan resettlement program launched under then-President Joe Biden. In the wake of the shooting, Trump vowed to permanently suspend immigration from all Third World countries.

Belt noted: “The main problem with screening social media for VWP visitors is that it targets travelers from nations with close ties to the U.S.—which seems illogical.”

Historically, such screenings have been reserved for citizens of specific high-risk countries or higher-security visa categories.

“This could strain relations with close allies, who may view the measure as treating them as potential security threats. It may also prompt reciprocal screening of U.S. travelers by these countries.”

Analysis: U.S. Social Media Checks Harsher Than China’s Border Policies

The social media screening proposal will undergo a 60-day public comment period and further review by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If approved, it could take effect as early as February 8 next year.

Even before the rule is finalized, the administration’s intent has drawn widespread international attention and strong pushback.

Bethany Allen, director of the China Initiative at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), argued that the Trump administration’s social media screening plan is stricter than China’s border policies: “Not even China does this.”


U.S. Senator Patty Murray, a senior Democrat from Washington state, criticized the measure sharply: “They might as well just ban travel outright. Who besides [Homeland Security Advisor] Stephen Miller would push for something like this?”

Cracking down on immigration ranks among Trump’s key campaign pledges. Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff and homeland security advisor, is the architect of his hardline immigration policies.

Trump Gold Card: $1M Donation for Expedited Residency

On December 10, the U.S. government officially rolled out the “Trump Gold Card” visa program, offering a costly fast-track pathway to U.S. residency for foreign nationals seeking to settle in the country.


For now, the program offers one active pathway: the “Trump Gold Card.” Applicants must pay a $15,000 non-refundable fee (approximately S$19,400) and make a $1 million donation to prove they will deliver substantial benefits to the U.S. In return, they receive permanent residency, allowing them to work and live in the U.S. and eventually pursue citizenship. Both the fee and donation are non-refundable.

Unlike the existing EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa, the Gold Card does not require applicants to create a certain number of jobs or invest in U.S. businesses. Nor does it subject them to the years-long, cumbersome screening process faced by traditional green card seekers.

Per the official application website Trumpcard.gov, the process takes only a few weeks after submission.

Trump has described the Gold Card as essentially a green card—“but more premium, more powerful, with a smoother pathway.” He stressed that applicants must be “distinguished individuals”.

A corporate version is also available, enabling companies to fast-track visas for employees at a rate of $2 million per worker. U.S. Commerce Secretary Rohit Chopra revealed that roughly 10,000 people pre-registered for the Gold Card, with expectations of selling thousands more in the future and raising billions, or even tens of billions, of dollars for the federal government.


A higher-tier “Trump Platinum Card” option is in the works, requiring a $5 million donation. Cardholders would be allowed to stay in the U.S. for up to 270 days annually and would not have to pay U.S. taxes on foreign income. This pathway has not yet launched.

Trump argues the Gold Card will ensure U.S. businesses can retain valuable talent while boosting federal coffers. The Republican president has repeatedly criticized his predecessor Joe Biden’s immigration policies as overly lax, claiming an influx of low-skilled migrants strains social resources, takes jobs from American workers, and that traditional skilled immigration channels are inefficient and poorly aligned with U.S. needs.

A businessman by background, Trump believes high-net-worth immigrants bring direct capital injections, entrepreneurial investment, higher tax contributions due to their income levels, and drive premium consumption. The administration frames the Gold Card as a way to align future immigration flows with U.S. development priorities, advancing the core agenda of “Make America Great Again” (MAGA).

However, some U.S. Democrats and immigrant rights advocates have slammed the Gold Card as unfairly prioritizing the wealthy and effectively “selling citizenship”.

Experts Warn of Policy Uncertainty Under Future Administrations

The program—launched quickly without congressional approval—has also faced legal challenges.

Shira Levine, formerly ousted by the Trump administration and now deputy legal director at the San Francisco Bay Area Immigrant Research Institute, argued the Gold Card bypasses normal legal procedures. The government has also failed to ensure the public receives accurate information or access to legal advice. She told Axios: “We have built a system where people are kept in the dark about the law. Everyone is left guessing how the Trump administration and its appointees interpret the rules—not what the rules actually say.”

The Trump administration maintains it is leveraging existing channels and does not need legislative approval.

Under the U.S. Constitution, sitting presidents hold broad executive authority over immigration, but creating new visa categories or residency pathways requires congressional approval. Presidents can shape immigration via executive orders and policy changes, yet Congress holds final authority to pass or amend immigration laws, including visa programs.


The gleaming Trump Gold Card features the U.S. president’s portrait and signature, with the Statue of Liberty as its backdrop, AFP reported.

Contradictory Policies Spark Backlash

Amid constitutional disputes over the Gold Card, its market demand remains uncertain. Long-term validity of residency is a top concern for immigrant investors, and policy unpredictability will likely dampen their willingness to invest.

Legal experts warn that if there is a change in administration, the Gold Card could face forced adjustments or even termination over legal issues.

The launch of the Gold Card and the announcement of the social media screening plan send a clear signal from the White House: the country wants only wealthy, highly skilled individuals—after strict vetting—to enter or settle, not the large numbers of tourists deemed to offer little to national interests.

Professor Belt told Lianhe Zaobao: “Indeed, when it comes to long-term residency and permanent status, Trump has made it clear he favors those who ‘create rather than take’—individuals with wealth who create jobs, not those who fraudulently exploit government services. So I see the tighter social media checks as tied to national security, while the Gold Card’s focus on attracting talent aligns with Trump’s vision of making the country wealthier.”