Dec 12, 2025 Immigration Law

Launch of New “Trump Gold Card” Immigration Program

The Trump Administration has formally launched the Trump Gold Card, a new immigration pathway offering U.S. residency for qualifying foreign nationals. The program went live on December 10, 2025, with applications now being accepted through the federal portal at TrumpCard.gov  with additional, limited details available on USCIS’s website. While the administration is hailing this as a quick and easy way to obtain permanent residency (green card) for wealthy applicants, there are many questions as to both the legality and practicality of the Trump Gold Card.

Overview of the Trump Gold Card

According to official announcements and agency releases, the Trump Gold Card is designed to attract “top talent” and high‑net‑worth individuals to the United States through a combination of financial contribution (i.e., an unrestricted ‘gift’) and background vetting.

Key Requirements

  • $15,000 processing fee per applicant due upfront.
  • $1 million contribution to the U.S. government (described as a “gift” to the U.S. Department of Commerce) per applicant if self-petitioning, which would be due after background approval.
  • $2 million contribution to the U.S. government (described as a “gift” to the US Department of Commerce) per employee if employer-sponsored via the Corporate Gold Card track. Though the mechanics are not presently clear, the Corporate Gold Card track permits corporate sponsors to cease sponsoring one employee and, instead, use the $2 million gift contribution as a basis for sponsoring a new employee. The Corporate Gold Card is subject to a 1% annual maintenance fee and a 5% transfer fee, which includes the cost of a new DHS background check.
  • Background check and vetting prior to approval.

Benefits of the Gold Card

The administration has described the Gold Card as offering:

  • A path to U.S. citizenship for qualified applicants after having permanent resident status for 5 years.
  • Faster access to U.S. residency compared to traditional employment‑ or investment‑based categories. How ‘expedited’ remains to be seen, specifically as green card availability is still subject to per-country limitations and backlogs.
  • The ability for U.S. companies to retain “invaluable talent” that might otherwise face long immigration backlogs

A related Trump Platinum Card—requiring a $5 million contribution and offering up to 270 days in the U.S. without U.S. taxation on non‑U.S. income—is expected to launch later, with a waitlist already open.

How to Apply

USCIS has released Form I‑140G, the Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program, available exclusively through the TrumpCard.gov portal. A PDF versions of the Form is available on USCIS’s website for reference HERE. Applicants must submit the form online and pay the required fees directly through the site. Initial reports indicate the fee payment website is experiencing technical issues.

Considerations for Prospective Applicants

  • This is a high‑value, high‑scrutiny program: Applicants should expect extensive vetting and documentation requirements. The application requests 20 years of employment history, education details for all post-secondary institutions, and extensive details and documentation demonstrating the lawfulness of the funds that will serve as the gift, including complete bank records for the past 5 years, among other potentially sensitive information.
  • The program is new: Implementation details, processing times, and adjudication trends will likely evolve in the coming months.
  • Legal Authority: Multiple legal scholars and practitioners have raised fundamental concerns about whether the President has the authority to create a new immigrant program without Congressional action. Analyses note that immigration categories and eligibility criteria are traditionally within Congress’s exclusive authority. As presented, the program invites applicants to select their classification type from two pre-existing classifications: either EB-1A (Individuals of Extraordinary Ability) or EB-2 NIW (Individuals of Exceptional Ability who seek a National Interest Waiver).  Less clear is whether applicants must still meet the high evidentiary standard that comprise these two existing standards or if the gift alone acts as evidence of eligibility for the two existing classifications.
    • What this means for clients: If courts enjoin or invalidate the program, applications could be delayed, suspended, or potentially voided. There is also no clear federal guidance indicating that either the fee or the contribution is refundable if the program is halted or voided.

How Our Firm Can Help

We are closely monitoring the rollout of the Trump Gold Card and related programs. Our team can assist with:

  • Eligibility assessments
  • Preparation and filing of Form I‑140G
  • Corporate sponsorship strategies
  • Long‑term immigration planning, including pathways to citizenship

If you or your organization are considering the Trump Gold Card or would like to discuss the already-in-existence EB-5 investor green card program, please contact our office to schedule a consultation.

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