U.S. Begins Implementation of Trump Administration’s “Gold Card” Residency Program

The U.S. government has started implementing President Donald Trump’s Gold Card program — a new immigration pathway that allows foreign nationals to obtain permanent residence through large donations to the U.S. Treasury.

Created by a presidential executive order in September 2025, the initiative permits individual applicants or their corporate sponsors to make a contribution that qualifies them for a green card under the EB-1 category for individuals of extraordinary ability or the EB-2 National Interest Waiver category.

Under the program, an individual petitioner must donate at least $1 million, while corporate-sponsored applicants are required to contribute $2 million. In addition, each application involves a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) processing fee of $15,000.

According to updates on the official TrumpCard.gov website, the same donation and processing fees apply to spouses and children under 21 years of age seeking derivative green cards. This is the first government confirmation that dependent family members will be subject to the same financial requirements.

The Gold Card application process begins with an online filing at TrumpCard.gov, where applicants or their sponsors provide personal and contact details. Once submitted, they are directed to pay.gov to complete the nonrefundable $15,000 DHS processing fee per applicant.

Applicants will then submit Form I-140G through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) portal. This form serves as the government’s main tool for verifying that the donated funds come from lawful sources. After successful vetting, the $1 million or $2 million donation must be transferred to the Treasury via ACH debit or Swift Wire Transfer before USCIS can approve the petition.

Following USCIS approval, applicants move to the Department of State’s consular processing stage, completing Form DS-260G and attending interviews at U.S. embassies or consulates. This final step determines visa issuance and admissibility for permanent residence. The government has not yet confirmed whether applicants already in the United States will be allowed to adjust their status domestically under this program.

While the Trump Card website states that processing “should take weeks,” it does not clarify whether this refers to the initial application or the USCIS petition. In practice, immigrant visa processing can take several months, depending on the consular post and individual circumstances.

Alongside the Gold Card, references have appeared on the government’s website to a potential “Platinum Card” program, which was not part of the original September executive order. The website indicates that this proposed option would allow foreign nationals contributing $5 million or more to reside in the U.S. for up to 270 days annually without being taxed on non-U.S. income.