In February 2025, President Donald Trump introduced a new idea in immigration discussions: the Trump Gold Card. The proposal centers on a simple concept, allowing wealthy individuals and corporations to obtain U.S. permanent residency, commonly known as a Green Card, by making a significant financial contribution directly to the U.S. government.
On September 19, 2025, the President signed Executive Order 14351, formally launching the Trump Gold Card program. On the official program website, the President is quoted as saying, “They can invest in America, we can continue to build the greatest economy on earth.” The framing is clear: the Trump Gold Card is presented as a way to attract capital while offering immigration benefits in return.
Despite the name, the Trump Gold Card is not a standalone visa category. It operates as a fast-track layer built onto existing high-skilled immigration pathways, specifically the EB-1A category for individuals with extraordinary ability and the EB-2 National Interest Waiver for those with exceptional ability whose work benefits the United States. Under this framework, a financial contribution of $1 million or $2 million is treated, in practice, as satisfying the “national interest” or “exceptional ability” requirement, at least under the current administration’s interpretation.
The application process for the Trump Gold Card reflects this structure. Applicants must file Form I-140G with documentation of the required contribution. The program requires a $1 million donation for an individual, an additional $1 million for each dependent seeking a card, and $2 million when a corporation sponsors one or more employees. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security vets all applicants to confirm admissibility, and they must demonstrate that their funds come from lawful and traceable sources.
The process begins with a nonrefundable $15,000 fee paid to the Department of Homeland Security. After vetting, the donation is submitted by international transfer, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services adjudicates the petition under EB-1A or EB-2 National Interest Waiver standards. Because the Trump Gold Card relies on existing visa categories, it remains subject to visa availability and the consular process, with additional fees payable to the U.S. Department of State.
Although Trump Gold Card petitions may be processed in a matter of weeks, immigrant visa issuance still depends on priority date movement and the applicant’s country of birth. Applicants from countries with high demand may face significant delays due to existing EB-1 and EB-2 visa backlogs, meaning that the financial contribution does not eliminate all waiting periods.
At the same time, a related concept, the “Platinum Card”, has been discussed but not formally implemented. As described publicly, it would allow investors to obtain a visitor visa permitting stays of up to 270 days per year without triggering the Substantial Presence Test, potentially avoiding U.S. taxation on foreign income. The proposed contribution is $5 million. The September 2025 executive order did not reference this program, and significant legal and tax questions remain unresolved, particularly if a holder later seeks U.S. citizenship.
Recent testimony suggests the Trump Gold Card program is still in its early stages. At a House subcommittee hearing on April 23, 2026, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that only one applicant had been approved, with hundreds more in the queue. Even so, the Trump Gold Card has already been described as a potential pathway for high-net-worth individuals willing to make substantial payments directly to the U.S. government. Unlike the EB-5 program, it does not focus on investing in a business or creating jobs, but instead centers on a direct financial contribution.
The Trump Gold Card signals a different approach to immigration policy. It is framed as a way to attract capital and support the U.S. economy, but it also raises broader questions about how access to immigration benefits should be structured. Its legality remains uncertain. Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress, not the executive branch, has the authority to define immigrant visa categories, quotas, and eligibility criteria. As a result, the Trump Gold Card program is likely to face legal challenges as implementation continues.
