If you’ve ever dreamed of living in the United States but found the immigration maze too complex or time-consuming, President Trump just unveiled a shortcut—and it comes with a $1 million price tag.
On December 10, 2025, the administration officially launched the Trump Gold Card program, offering wealthy foreigners an expedited path to American permanent residency.
The Gold Card isn’t technically a new visa category. Instead, it operates within existing EB-1 and EB-2 immigrant visa classifications for individuals with extraordinary ability or those who qualify for a national interest waiver.
What makes it different is the expedited processing and simplified requirements—all in exchange for a substantial financial contribution to the U.S. Treasury.
Think of it as a fast pass to the American Dream. While traditional green card applications can take years and require employer sponsorship, labor certifications, and mountains of paperwork, the Gold Card streamlines the entire process into a matter of weeks.
The headline figure is $1 million for individual applicants, but that’s not the complete picture. Here’s the full breakdown:
Individual Gold Card: $1 million donation plus a $15,000 non-refundable processing fee. Additional small State Department fees may apply depending on your circumstances.
Corporate Gold Card: Companies can sponsor foreign employees for $2 million per person, plus the same $15,000 processing fee.
The advantage here is flexibility—if a company stops sponsoring an employee, it can transfer that contribution to a new beneficiary for a 5 percent transfer fee and the cost of a new background check, rather than making another $2 million donation.
Family Members: Want to bring your spouse and children? Each family member requires their own $15,000 processing fee and $1 million donation.
It’s worth noting that these are gifts, not investments. Unlike programs in other countries where you might recover your money after a certain period, the Gold Card contribution is permanent and goes directly to promoting American commerce and industry.
Having a million dollars isn’t enough. Applicants must meet several eligibility requirements:
One crucial point that surprises many applicants: being able to spend the money doesn’t automatically guarantee entry. You still need to meet standard immigration requirements and pass security screenings. The financial contribution serves as evidence of your ability to benefit the United States, but it doesn’t override other eligibility criteria.
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Applicants from certain countries, particularly China and India, may face wait times of up to a year or more due to per-country visa limitations and existing backlogs in EB-1 and EB-2 categories.
The path to obtaining a Gold Card follows three main stages:
Stage 1: Application and Initial Vetting Submit your online application at trumpcard.gov along with the $15,000 processing fee. The Department of Homeland Security will begin your background check and vetting process. You’ll be instructed to create a myUSCIS.gov account to track your application.
Stage 2: Financial Contribution Once you successfully pass the vetting process, you’ll be asked to submit your $1 million gift to the Department of Commerce. This contribution is deposited in a Treasury account designated for promoting American industry.
Stage 3: Final Processing After your gift is confirmed, you’ll complete either Adjustment of Status if you’re already in the United States, or Consular Processing at your local U.S. embassy if you’re abroad. This phase typically takes two to four months and includes biometrics, medical examinations, and a final interview.
The administration promises that the entire process will take weeks rather than the years required for traditional green card pathways—assuming you submit all documents promptly and pass each stage of review.
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Approved Gold Card holders receive full U.S. permanent resident status, which includes:
Significantly, Gold Card recipients don’t need a job offer or employer sponsorship—a requirement that typically complicates traditional employment-based visas like the H-1B or EB-2. You’re evaluated based on your financial contribution and personal eligibility, giving you complete freedom to choose your career path once you arrive.
For those with even deeper pockets, the administration has announced a forthcoming Platinum Card requiring a $5 million contribution.
While not yet available, this higher tier would allow holders to spend up to 270 days per year in the United States without becoming subject to U.S. taxes on foreign income.
This tax benefit is particularly attractive to global investors who want access to the American market without triggering worldwide income taxation.
However, anyone who has previously been subject to U.S. tax on foreign income—including U.S. citizens and resident aliens—is ineligible for the Platinum Card.
Interested applicants can already join the waiting list at trumpcard.gov, though the contribution amount may increase before the program launches.
Immigration advisors report overwhelming interest from high-net-worth individuals worldwide.
Early demand has been strongest from China, India, the United Kingdom, and Latin America. By mid-June 2025, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that almost 70,000 people had joined the Gold Card waiting list.
The enthusiasm partly stems from competitive pricing. At $1 million, the Gold Card significantly undercuts similar programs in other developed nations.
Singapore’s investment visa requires nearly $8 million, New Zealand demands just under $3 million, and even smaller markets like Samoa set their threshold at $1.4 million.
“Clients are calling it almost too cheap given what they’re getting access to,” explained one immigration attorney.
The United States offers world-class universities, advanced medical facilities, stable financial institutions, and the world’s largest consumer market—benefits that wealthy applicants find compelling despite the non-refundable nature of the contribution.
Here’s a critical consideration that catches many applicants off guard: Gold Card holders become U.S. tax residents, which means the IRS will tax your worldwide income regardless of where it’s earned.
For wealthy individuals with global income streams, this can significantly impact financial planning.
Unlike the proposed Platinum Card, the Gold Card doesn’t offer any tax exemptions for foreign-earned income. Before committing $1 million, it’s essential to consult with tax professionals who understand both U.S. tax law and your home country’s tax obligations to avoid unexpected liabilities.
The program hasn’t launched without debate. Critics argue that selling citizenship undermines merit-based immigration principles and creates a two-tier system where wealth trumps other qualifications like education, skills, or family ties.
Policy experts point to similar programs in Spain, Malta, and the United Kingdom that were ultimately ended due to concerns about increased housing costs, national security risks, and money laundering.
The administration counters that rigorous vetting processes and the substantial financial contribution will screen for legitimate applicants while generating revenue for American commerce.
Commerce Secretary Lutnick has stated the program aims to attract “extraordinary people at the very top” rather than what he characterized as the “bottom quartile” admitted through traditional green card processes. He suggested the initiative could potentially raise $1 trillion to pay down the national debt.
The Trump Gold Card presents a unique opportunity for wealthy individuals who want American residency without navigating traditional immigration pathways. It’s ideal if you:
However, it’s not the right choice if you’re looking for an investment you’ll eventually recover, need to minimize tax obligations on foreign income, or are from countries with significant visa backlogs that might delay processing.
If you’re seriously considering the Gold Card, here’s what you should do:
1. Assess your eligibility honestly. Review immigration inadmissibility grounds and ensure you can pass comprehensive background checks.
2. Consult with professionals. Work with both immigration attorneys and tax advisors who understand the implications for your specific situation.
3. Prepare your finances. Ensure you have the $1 million contribution plus processing fees available in liquid form.
4. Register early. Visit trumpcard.gov to submit your application or join the Platinum Card waiting list if that tier better suits your needs.
5. Be patient but responsive. Once you apply, respond quickly to any requests for additional information or documentation to avoid processing delays.
The Gold Card represents President Trump’s vision of immigration as an economic transaction.
Whether this approach serves America’s long-term interests remains a subject of vigorous debate, but for wealthy foreigners who have longed for American residency, the door has suddenly swung open—provided you have a million dollars and the willingness to walk through it.
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