What is the Trump Gold Card?
The Trump Card is a proposed new residency-by-investment program designed to replace the EB-5 Visa. Announced by President Donald Trump, the Gold Card would offer foreign investors a streamlined path to United States residency in exchange for a minimum investment of $1 million.
Unlike the EB-5 Visa program, which required job creation and had a limited number of visas available each year, the Trump Card is positioned as a premium alternative with potentially unlimited issuances and faster processing times. Successful applicants would receive U.S. Green Card privileges, including permanent residency and a possible pathway to citizenship.
With a significantly higher investment threshold, the U.S Gold Card aims to attract ultra-high-net-worth individuals while boosting foreign direct investment in the US economy.
Highlights of the U.S. Gold Card Visa
- Created by executive authority and designed to replace the existing EB-5 Investor Immigrant Visa. This visa shifts the investment focus from job creation to direct contribution to the U.S government.
- Requires a processing fee of $15,000 to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and a minimum contribution of $1 million to the U.S Government.
- Family members can apply, but each spouse and unmarried children (under 21) are subject to an additional nonrefundable processing fee of $15,000 to the Department of Homeland Security, as well as a $1 million contribution.
- Successful applicants and their immediate family will receive a U.S Green Card, allowing them to live and work freely in the country.
- There is a purported pathway to citizenship by naturalization after 5 years.
- The goal is to attract only ultra-high-net-worth individuals who want to live and work in the U.S.
- Has other variations like the Trump Corporate Gold Card, targeted at companies that want to sponsor foreign employees, and the upcoming Trump Platinum Card.
Benefits of the Trump Gold Card Program
The new U.S Gold Card offers several benefits to wealthy foreign nationals who want to have easy and long-term access to the U.S. Other benefits include:
- U.S. permanent residency: Successful applicants will receive Green Card status, allowing them to live and work anywhere in the U.S without needing sponsorships or visa renewals.
- Potential pathway to citizenship: The Trump Gold Card Visa program offers a potential pathway to citizenship by naturalization after 5 years.
- Faster processing: The Trump Card Visa is purported to be completed in weeks. This is a record time compared to the EB-5 Visa, which has a processing time of 2-5 years.
- Simple investment structure: Unlike the EB-5 Visa that requires applicants to create jobs and invest in qualifying projects in the U.S., the Trump Card Visa simply lets applicants contribute directly to the Government, reducing long processing delays and administrative bottlenecks.
- Family inclusion: Eligible family members will also receive Green Cards, allowing them to relocate together to the United States.
- Global mobility and stability: Holding U.S. permanent residency allows wealth investors to enjoy long-term economic stability and easier global mobility.
Trump Gold Card Eligibility Requirements
Since the Trump Card Visa is primarily investment-based, it is likely to be subject to strict financial and compliance standards consistent with U.S. immigration and national security laws.
Here are some of the eligibility requirements for the Trump Card Visa:
- Trump Card applicants will also be subject to extensive background checks by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), consistent with U.S. National Security standards.
- The U.S Gold Card Visa requires a minimum financial contribution or “gift” of $1 million to the U.S. Government. This amount is expected to increase for applicants relocating with their families.
- Applicants and their families can apply together. Note that only immediate family (spouse and unmarried children under 21) are eligible.
- Applicants must meet the requirements for lawful permanent residence in the United States, and a visa must be available.
- Applicants must prove that their funds were obtained lawfully. This is a standard requirement across all U.S. investor-based immigration programs, and is designed to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and financial transparency regulations.
What is the Trump Corporate Gold Card?
The Trump Corporate Gold Card is a variation of the Trump Gold Card that allows U.S. companies to sponsor one or more foreign employees for permanent residency using the Gold Card framework.
To apply, corporate sponsors must pay a non-refundable $15,000 DHS fee for each employee. Employers can sponsor multiple employees in the same application. Once an employee passes the vetting process, the employer must pay a $2 million contribution per employee to the U.S. government to show that each employee will substantially benefit to the United States.
One unique feature of the Corporate Gold Card is that a corporate sponsor may reallocate the contribution from a previously sponsored employee to a new employee, without paying an additional $2 million gift.
The Corporate Gold Card also carries ongoing fees: a 1% annual maintenance fee and a 5% transfer fee, which covers a new DHS background check. Additional fees to the U.S. Department of State may apply, depending on each employee’s circumstances (e.g., location during the application/visa process).
What is the Trump Platinum Card?
The Trump Platinum Card is a high-tier variation of the Gold Card for extremely wealthy foreign nationals, offering extended U.S. residency and tax benefits.
Although this visa program hasn’t been released yet, applicants can secure their spot on the waiting list now, and once launched, the card requires a $5 million contribution plus a $15,000 DHS processing fee.
Key benefits of this visa program include:
- Spend up to 270 days in the U.S. per year without being taxed on non-U.S. income
- Having this visa means you don’t need a travel visa to the U.S.
- Elite-tier residency option within the Trump investment visa program
- Designed for investors seeking maximum flexibility and tax planning advantages
Note: Those who have ever been subject to U.S. tax on non-U.S. income (e.g., U.S. citizens and resident aliens) are not eligible to apply.
U.S Gold Card Visa Costs
The table below outlines the overall costs of applying for a Trump Gold Card Visa.
| Cost | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DHS Processing fee | $15,000 | Non-refundable. Paid per applicant |
| Contribution | $1 million per applicant or $2 million per employee for Corporate Gold Card | Paid per applicant after successful vetting. |
| Additional visa fees | Varies | Paid to the Department of State depending on the location/circumstances of the applicant. |
| Immigration Attorney / Legal Fees | $15,000+ | Depends on complexity of application. |
How to Apply for the US Gold Card
You can apply for the Trump Gold Card Visa via the following steps:
- Start your application, select the appropriate category (individual or corporate Gold Card), and fill in your details.
- Proceed to pay the non-refundable $15,000 DHS fee via Credit Card (U.S. and international); ACH debit (U.S. bank accounts only).
- USCIS conducts thorough background checks and vetting
- Once vetting is complete, you will be notified to make your $1 million contribution via ACH Debit or SWIFT wire transfer, as instructed.
You will also be directed to pay any additional Visa fees unique to your circumstances.
Do U.S Gold Card Visa Holders Pay Tax?
Yes, Trump Card visa holders are still subject to tax, including on non-U.S. income, as with all U.S. permanent residents and Citizens. It is important to consult with U.S. tax and legal professionals for better insight into the tax implications of this visa and also to avoid any liabilities.
EB-5 Visa vs Trump Gold Card
The new Gold Card Visa is being promoted as a “premium alternative’ to the traditional US Green Card. The table below shows how both investment-based immigration pathways compare.
| Feature | EB-5 | Trump Card |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Investment-based U.S. residency for foreign nationals for job creation and economic growth in U.S. | Premium, high-tier investment-based U.S. residency for foreign nationals for contribution to U.S Government. |
| Minimum Investment | $1.05 million (or $800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas) | $1 million per individual; $2 million per employee for Corporate Gold Card |
| Visa Caps / Availability | Annual cap on EB-5 visas; some countries have long waiting times | Proposed up to 1 million Gold Cards; no fixed cap indicated |
| Processing Time | Typically 2–5 years, depending on the country of origin | Promoted as faster, potentially completed in weeks. |
| Pathway to Citizenship | Eligible for U.S. citizenship after meeting residency requirements (typically 5 years) | Same as EB-5 |
| Target Applicants | Foreign investors who can meet investment and job-creation requirements | Wealthy foreigners who can contribute at least $1 million to U.S government. |
Economic Implications of the US Gold Card
The impact on the US economy could be significant if the US Gold Card goes ahead. The increase in the US Gold Card’s minimum cost to $1 million, up from EB-5’s $800,000, is notable. This, along with the potential rise in the number of accepted applicants, could have a significant impact on the US economy.
The Trump administration has suggested that as many as 1 million Gold Cards could be issued; this alone could inject $1 billion into the US economy. Additionally, the potential for a significant increase in job creation could see an even bigger impact on the US economy as a whole.
The Global Landscape
This decision from the US unfolds against the backdrop of growing competition in the global investment migration sector. Nations such as Portugal, Greece, and several Caribbean countries continue to provide citizenship and residency programs with considerably lower investment requirements.
The Gold Card would place the US at the high-end segment of the market, appealing to ultra-high-net-worth individuals who value the distinct advantages of US residency despite the premium cost.
The GCS Perspective
Global Citizen Solutions recognizes the impactful shift in US immigration policy, viewing it as a transformative moment that could impact many. While the investment requirement is significantly higher, the US Gold Card is a unique offering in global mobility.
“This proposal represents a paradigm shift in how the United States approaches investment migration,” says Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizen Solutions. “While the $1 million minimum threshold is substantially higher than current EB-5 requirements, the potential benefits of expedited processing, tax advantages on foreign income, and a clearer pathway to citizenship could make this an attractive option for ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking U.S. residency.”
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
