What is the Trump Gold Card? Requirements, Processing Times & Cost

What Is the Trump Gold Card? Requirements, Processing Times, and Cost

The Trump Gold Card promises an expedited path to U.S. permanent residence for applicants who make a substantial financial gift to the U.S. government. But it’s not a new visa category, and the timing benefits depend on more than just writing a check. Here’s how the program actually works.

Key Takeaways

The Trump Gold Card is an expedited pathway to a U.S. green card through the existing EB-1 or EB-2 categories, using a $1 million financial gift as the primary qualifying evidence in lieu of conventional achievements or employer sponsorship.
Applicants must remain admissible to the United States, pass DHS background checks, document a lawful source of funds, and ultimately satisfy the EB-1A or EB-2 NIW framework.
Total costs reach well beyond the $1 million gift: a $15,000 nonrefundable DHS processing fee per applicant, additional government fees, and significantly higher costs for dependents or corporate sponsorship.
Processing can take weeks in ideal cases, but actual timelines depend on the EB-1 and EB-2 visa quotas—applicants from high-demand countries may still face waits of a year or more.
The program rests on Executive Order 14351 rather than a statute passed by Congress, which makes its long-term future dependent on political and legal developments.

What the Trump Gold Card Actually Is

The Trump Gold Card is an expedited green card pathway established by Executive Order 14351, signed on September 19, 2025. Applications are submitted through the government portal at trumpcard.gov, and the program began accepting applications in December 2025.

The Gold Card is not a new visa classification. It is a procedural overlay on the existing EB-1 and EB-2 immigrant visa categories. Under traditional rules, EB-1A applicants must demonstrate extraordinary ability through years of awards, publications, leadership, or other recognition; EB-2 NIW applicants must satisfy the three-prong Dhanasar test for national interest. Under the Gold Card framework, a $1 million financial gift to the U.S. Department of Commerce serves as the primary qualifying evidence in place of that conventional showing.

Successful applicants receive lawful permanent resident status under the EB-1 or EB-2 category, as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. That status grants the right to live and work anywhere in the United States and, after the required residency period, to pursue U.S. citizenship.

At Chary Law, we work with high-net-worth individuals, executives, founders, and corporations evaluating whether the Gold Card aligns with their goals—or whether a more traditional employment-based pathway better fits the specific case.

Trump Corporate Gold Card: Sponsorship for Employees

The Corporate Gold Card allows a U.S. employer to sponsor a foreign national employee through a $2 million gift per sponsored individual. Corporate sponsors can apply for multiple employees simultaneously, with a $15,000 nonrefundable DHS processing fee per employee.

If the original sponsored employee leaves the company, the corporation can later redirect the prior $2 million gift to a different employee without paying a new $2 million contribution. A 5% transfer fee and a new DHS background check apply to any reassignment. Corporate Gold Cards also carry a 1% annual maintenance fee.

Trump Gold Card Requirements

Underlying Eligibility Standards Still Apply

Eligibility runs through one of two existing green card categories: EB-1A (extraordinary ability) or EB-2 NIW (national interest waiver). The financial gift functions as evidence supporting the petition, but DHS retains discretion in adjudicating each case—and the legal framework for how much weight that evidence carries is still developing.

Applicants must remain admissible to the United States under the standard grounds set out in the Immigration and Nationality Act. Inadmissibility on health-related, criminal, security, or fraud grounds will derail an application regardless of the financial gift. Crimes involving moral turpitude, drug-related offenses, and certain other criminal history can disqualify applicants entirely.

DHS Background Investigation and Source-of-Funds Review

Every applicant undergoes a comprehensive DHS background check. USCIS uses Form I-140G to vet the gifted funds and confirm they originate from a lawful source. The source-of-funds documentation requirement is substantial—it includes a 20-year employment history, complete listing of financial accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets, with crypto required to be blockchain-traceable), and detailed evidence of how the funds were earned and accumulated. This is not a simple payment for residency.

Family Members: Each Treated Separately

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may be included to receive derivative green card status. Each dependent is subject to the same $15,000 DHS processing fee. The official Trump Card portal indicates that a separate $1 million gift is also required for each family member, which significantly changes the cost calculus for families.

Trump Gold Card Cost Breakdown

Individual Applicants

The full individual cost includes:

A $15,000 nonrefundable DHS processing fee per applicant, plus a small additional processing fee, paid at initial application via credit card or ACH debit.
A $1 million unrestricted gift to the U.S. Department of Commerce, submitted only after preliminary vetting is approved, transferred via ACH debit or international SWIFT wire.
Additional U.S. Department of State fees for consular visa processing, which vary by applicant and consular post.
Medical examination fees, translation costs, and any associated legal fees.

Corporate Sponsors

For corporate sponsorship, the gift increases to $2 million per sponsored employee, plus the $15,000 per-employee nonrefundable DHS processing fee. Corporations also pay a 1% annual maintenance fee and a 5% transfer fee on any reassignment, including the cost of the new DHS background check.

The $1 Million Is a Gift, Not an Investment

This distinction matters. The $1 million is an unrestricted gift to the Department of Commerce, deposited into a Treasury fund earmarked to promote commerce and American industry. Unlike the EB-5 immigrant investor program, there is no return of capital, no requirement to create jobs, and no requirement to invest in any particular business. Once the gift is transferred, it is not refundable and not recoverable.

Trump Gold Card Processing Times: What “Weeks” Actually Means

According to the official Gold Card portal, once an application and DHS processing fee are received, the process “should take weeks,” assuming all additional documents and fees are submitted promptly. The procedural sequence includes Form I-140G submission through a myUSCIS.gov account, USCIS review and background investigation, and a mandatory immigrant visa interview conducted by the U.S. Department of State.

The actual timeline, however, is more nuanced. Visa issuance under the Gold Card program remains subject to the existing EB-1 and EB-2 visa quotas. For applicants from countries with high demand—particularly India and China—a visa number to become available can take a year or longer regardless of Gold Card status. The official Gold Card portal acknowledges that “a small number of countries may have wait times of up to a year or more based on visa availability.” Given current backlogs, that disclaimer carries substantial weight in practice.

USCIS has not released official processing-time benchmarks for the Gold Card program. Whether applicants already in the United States in another status may complete the process through Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) rather than consular processing has not been definitively confirmed and may depend on case-by-case eligibility analysis.

How to Apply for the Trump Gold Card

The application process follows a defined sequence, though some steps remain subject to further USCIS guidance:

Register on the official portal at trumpcard.gov and submit personal and family details.
Pay the $15,000 nonrefundable DHS processing fee per applicant via the Department of the Treasury’s pay.gov website (accessible through the portal), using credit card or ACH debit.
Receive USCIS instructions to create or log in to a myUSCIS.gov account and file Form I-140G electronically. This form cannot be submitted by mail.
Submit detailed identity, admissibility, and source-of-funds documentation through the secure portal.
Upon preliminary approval, transfer the $1 million (individual) or $2 million (corporate) gift to the U.S. Department of Commerce, which deposits it into the relevant Treasury fund. Transfers are completed via ACH debit or international SWIFT wire.
Upon receipt of the gift and completion of any remaining vetting, USCIS may approve the I-140G petition.
Once a visa number is available in the applicable category, complete Department of State consular processing—Form DS-260G, supporting documents, the medical examination, and a mandatory in-person interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Important Considerations Before Applying

The Program Is Built on Executive Order

Executive Order 14351 created the Gold Card program; Congress did not pass legislation establishing it. That structural feature has consequences. Future administrations could modify or rescind the program. Legal challenges remain possible. The terms could shift as agencies refine implementation. Anyone considering a $1 million nonrefundable gift should weigh that uncertainty as part of the decision.

The Gift Is Nonrefundable Once Transferred

Applicants are not required to transfer the $1 million until after preliminary USCIS vetting is approved—so the funds are not at risk before that step. After transfer, however, the gift is not refundable. If a visa is later denied for admissibility reasons, or if the case stalls in country-specific backlogs, the funds remain with the U.S. government.

How the Gold Card Compares to EB-5

The Gold Card and EB-5 share a financial-investment dimension but operate very differently. EB-5 requires an at-risk investment ($800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area or $1,050,000 elsewhere), creation of at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs, and is structured around a return of capital after the investment period. The Regional Center component of EB-5 is currently authorized through September 30, 2027, with grandfathering protection for petitions filed by September 30, 2026. The Gold Card requires a larger sum in absolute terms but as a nonrefundable gift, with no job-creation requirement.

Why Chary Law for Trump Gold Card and Employment-Based Cases

At Chary Law, we work with investors, executives, founders, and researchers navigating high-stakes U.S. immigration matters—including EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, the Trump Gold Card, and investor-based pathways like the E-2 Treaty Investor visa.

The Gold Card program involves a significant nonrefundable financial commitment, evolving USCIS guidance, and procedural complexity that requires careful preparation well before any funds are transferred. Our attorneys conduct fast, accurate eligibility assessments so clients understand exactly where they stand—and what the process will require—before committing to the application.

With over a decade of experience in employment-based immigration, we provide direct attorney access, transparent timelines, and efficient case execution. Whether the Gold Card aligns with your goals or another employment-based pathway better fits your case, we assess each situation individually to identify the right strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Trump Gold Card

Does the $1 million Trump Gold Card gift guarantee a green card?

No. The $1 million gift supports eligibility but does not guarantee permanent residence. Applicants must still pass DHS background checks, satisfy admissibility requirements, document a lawful source of funds, and have a visa number available in their EB-1 or EB-2 category. Country-specific backlogs can cause significant delays for certain nationalities.

What happens to the $1 million if my Gold Card application is denied?

The $1 million is not transferred until after preliminary USCIS vetting is approved, so applicants are not required to send the funds if the preliminary review is unsuccessful. The $15,000 DHS processing fee paid at the time of initial application, however, is nonrefundable regardless of outcome. Once the $1 million is transferred and the case is later denied for any reason, the gift remains with the U.S. government.

Can my family members receive green cards through the Trump Gold Card?

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may be included as dependents in the initial Gold Card application. Each family member must pay a separate $15,000 DHS processing fee, and per the official portal, an individual $1 million gift is required for each family member, which significantly affects total program cost for families.

How does the Trump Gold Card affect existing EB-1 and EB-2 applicants?

The Gold Card program draws from the same EB-1 and EB-2 visa quotas as traditional applicants and is subject to the same per-country annual caps. Applicants from countries with significant backlogs—particularly India and China—may face wait times that extend well beyond the program’s advertised timing, regardless of how quickly the petition itself is adjudicated.

How does the Trump Gold Card differ from the EB-5 program?

Both involve a financial commitment, but they are structurally different. EB-5 requires an at-risk investment ($800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area, $1,050,000 elsewhere), creation of at least 10 U.S. jobs, and a return of capital framework. The Gold Card requires a larger sum but as a nonrefundable gift with no job-creation requirement, channeled through the EB-1 or EB-2 categories rather than EB-5.

Is the Trump Gold Card likely to remain available long-term?

The program rests on Executive Order 14351 rather than legislation passed by Congress. Programs created by executive order can be modified or rescinded by future administrations. Some commentators have raised legal questions about the program’s authority. Applicants should account for this uncertainty when weighing the value of a substantial nonrefundable gift.

If you’re evaluating the Trump Gold Card and want a clear-eyed assessment of whether it fits your case—or whether another employment-based pathway better suits your goals—contact Chary Law to schedule an initial case assessment.

Attorney Advertising.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws, USCIS policies, processing times, filing fees, and eligibility criteria are subject to change. Individuals considering any immigration matter should consult a qualified immigration attorney for advice specific to their situation. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.