What is the Trump Gold Card?
The Trump Card is an immigrant visa program that offers wealthy foreign nationals an expedited path to permanent residence in the United States in exchange for a minimum $1 million gift to the United States.
This program is designed to run through existing EB-1/EB-2 employment-based Green Card categories via Form I-140G and is not a standalone visa category. Successful applicants receive permanent residency as an EB-1 or EB-2 Visa holder.
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 faster processing times. Successful applicants 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.
Benefits of the Trump Gold Card Program
- 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 contribution-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 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 will increase for applicants relocating with their families.
- Applicants must be eligible for lawful permanent resident status, admissible to the United States, and a visa must be available.
- Applicants and their families can apply together. Note that only immediate family (spouse and unmarried children under 21) are eligible.
- 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.
How to Apply for the US Gold Card (Step-by-Step Guide)
You can apply for the Trump Gold Card Visa via the following steps:
Step 1: Submit Your Online Application & Pay the Processing Fee: Go to the official Gold Card application website and select the appropriate Gold Card category (individual or corporate). Complete your online application, and pay the non-refundable $15,000 processing fee to DHS via Credit Card (U.S. and international) or ACH debit (U.S. bank accounts only).
Step 2: Once payment is settled, USCIS will email you instructions to create an account. Monitor your inbox (including spam/junk) closely, as correspondence is time-sensitive.
Step 3: Complete Form I-140G with Supporting Documents: Complete Form I-140G (the immigrant petition form for the Gold Card). Upload all required supporting documents through the portal.
Step 4: Undergo DHS vetting: The Department of Homeland Security will conduct a background vetting review. No action is required from you at this stage unless you are contacted.
Step 5: Make your contribution: Upon successful vetting, USCIS will instruct you to submit a financial gift of at least $1 million to the United States, demonstrating your ability to provide a substantial benefit to the country.
Step 6: Receive Visa Approval & Obtain Permanent Residency: Following approval of an EB-1 or EB-2 visa, you will obtain legal status as a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
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 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.
Trump Gold Card Visa Costs
The table below outlines the overall costs of applying for a Trump Gold Card Visa.
| Cost | Amount | Notes | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHS Processing fee | $15,000 | Paid per applicant | No |
| Contribution | $1 million per applicant or $2 million per employee for Corporate Gold Card | Paid per applicant after successful vetting. | No |
| Form I-140G | $715 (Paper), $655 (online) | Paid to USCIS | No |
| Additional visa fees | Varies | Paid to the Department of State depending on the location/circumstances of the applicant. | No |
| Immigration Attorney / Legal Fees | $15,000+ | Depends on complexity of application. | – |
Note that the $15,000 processing fee and the $1 million contribution are non-refundable, even if the Gold Card petition is denied.
Trump Gold Card Visa Processing Time
The processing time for the Trump Gold Card (Form I-140G) is weeks once the applicant’s processing fee and application are received. Applicants must attend a visa interview and submit all documents in a timely manner. Note that some countries, such as China and India, may experience wait times of up to a year or more due to visa availability.
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.
Trump Gold Card vs EB-5 Visa
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 Gold 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. |
| Annual visa cap | 10,000 (for both principal investor and derivative beneficiaries) | Processed under EB-1/EB-2 Visas, so the same caps apply |
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 an advisory 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.
