Decoding Gold Card Program: The Fastest Path to Employment-based Permanent Residency
U.S. immigration policy has changed with the introduction of the U.S. Gold Card Permanent Residence Program, established by a Presidential Executive Order in September 2025. President Trump announced plans for the Gold Card in February 2025, and it is now formalized by executive order. This program provides an expedited, donation-based path to an employment-based Green Card, allowing a substantial financial contribution to replace the traditional, skill-based requirements.
Please note, this program does not replace the EB-5 Investor Green Card program.
For the international elite and corporations seeking to secure fast-track residency for top talent, the Gold Card promises a “stronger path” to permanent status. But what exactly does this pathway entail, and what is the actual cost?
What is the Gold Card Program?
The Gold Card is not an entirely new visa class. Instead, it is an administrative mechanism that allows a substantial, unrestricted financial contribution—or “gift”—to the U.S. Treasury to qualify an applicant under two existing, highly desirable employment-based visa preferences:
- EB-1 (Extraordinary Ability): Reserved for individuals with sustained national or international acclaim in their field.
- EB-2 (National Interest Waiver – NIW): For individuals with exceptional ability whose work is deemed to be in the national interest of the United States.
According to the administration, the non-refundable financial gift is conclusive evidence of an applicant’s extraordinary business ability, and their skills are necessary to serve the nation’s interests. The program is explicitly designed to attract capital and talent by offering a much faster processing timeline than programs like the beleaguered EB-5 Investor Visa.
The Financial Requirements: A Multi-Million Dollar Ask
The Processing Fee (Non-Refundable):
A non-refundable $15,000 processing fee must be paid to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the principal applicant and each accompanying family member (spouse and unmarried children under 21). This fee initiates the process and covers administrative and vetting costs.
The Financial Gift (The Core Donation)
The contribution is the substantial, irrevocable contribution to the U.S. Treasury, made after successful completion of the initial vetting process.
- For Individuals ( Self Petition ), the amount is $1 Million USD
- For Corporate ( Per Employee), the amount is $2 Million USD
Crucial Points for Dependents
According to current guidance, each dependent family member (spouse and children under 21) seeking a derivative Green Card under the program is also subject to the full $1 million financial gift, in addition to their own $15,000 processing fee. The program brings the total cost for a family of four (two parents, two children) to a staggering $4 million, plus processing fees.
The Expedited Application Process
Step 1: Online Application and Initial Fee
The applicant or corporate sponsor submits the initial Gold Card application via the official website (commonly known as TrumpCard.gov). The $15,000 DHS processing fee for each applicant is paid at this stage.
Step 2: Vetting and Filing Form I-140G
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will conduct a comprehensive background check and vetting process. Applicants will then be instructed to file Form I-140G, Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program. This form is used explicitly by USCIS to vet the source of the donated funds, ensuring they were acquired through lawful means.
Step 3: Donation and Final Approval
Upon successful completion of the vetting process and I-140G approval, the applicant is notified to transfer the full $1 million or $2 million gift to the Department of the Treasury via ACH debit or Swift Wire Transfer. Once the donation is confirmed, the I-140G petition is formally approved. The applicant then proceeds to the final stage of permanent residency acquisition:
- Consular Processing (Form DS-260G): For applicants outside the U.S.
- Adjustment of Status (Form I-485): For applicants already in the U.S. (subject to future clarification on eligibility for this program).
The stated goal is for the entire application and vetting process to take “weeks,” though final consular processing times will still depend on the local U.S. embassy or consulate.
Important Legal Consideration
Though the Gold Card program offers an unprecedentedly fast path to permanent residency, the prospective applicants must be aware of significant legal consequences:
- Executive Order Uncertainty: The program was created by an Executive Order, not an act of Congress. From a legal standpoint, the program is vulnerable to future political changes because it is implemented through an Executive Order, creating long-term uncertainty.
- Admissibility Requirements: Gold Card status does not bypass general U.S. immigration law. All applicants must still meet admissibility standards, pass medical exams, and undergo rigorous security checks to ensure they pose no national security or public safety risk.
The Gold Card Program is a paradigm shift in U.S. immigration, leveraging vast private wealth to create an express lane to permanent residency. For those who can meet the hefty financial requirements, it presents a compelling, if legally controversial, opportunity.
