Trump Team Moves Ahead With “Gold Card” Visa for Wealthy Immigrants — Cost, Rules Explained

Donald Trump’s proposed visa would grant U.S. residency in exchange for a large financial contribution, replacing some older investor visa routes.

What Is the Trump “Gold Card” Visa?

Donald Trump’s administration is set to launch a new “Gold Card” visa program for wealthy foreign nationals. According to USCIS filings, applicants would be granted lawful permanent residence by making a “substantial benefit” gift to the U.S. government.

This visa could begin operations soon — a draft of Form I-140G has been filed with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

How Much It Will Cost

• The individual Gold Card requires a gift of $1 million.
• A corporate-sponsored Gold Card costs $2 million.
• There’s also a Platinum Card tier, priced at $5 million, which offers special benefits like up to 270 days/year in the U.S. without U.S. tax on foreign income.
• A processing fee of around $15,000 is also required.

Who Is Eligible & How to Apply

To qualify, applicants must:

1. Submit their Gold Card request via the U.S. Department of Commerce.
2. Pay the application fee.
3. File Form I-140G with USCIS. Proof of “substantial benefit” (the gift) must be shown.
4. Pass strict background checks: criminal history, source of funds, tax records, and money-laundering screening are required.

If approved, applicants outside the U.S. must go to a U.S. consulate to get their permanent-resident status.

Why Trump Is Pushing This

• The Gold Card is meant to replace the EB-5 investor visa, which has faced criticism for fraud and slow processing.
• According to Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, this program will raise billions for the U.S. Treasury.
• There is a tax advantage: according to experts, Gold Card holders may not pay U.S. tax on certain foreign income — a major perk for wealthy global investors.

What’s Next & Challenges

• The I-140G form is still under review by the Office of Management and Budget, so rules may change.
• The program needs to be rolled out carefully to avoid legal challenges. Some immigration experts question whether it has strong legal grounding.
• Demand is already high: reports say tens of thousands have expressed interest.
• Implementation will require coordination between multiple U.S. agencies like Commerce, Homeland Security, and State.