Blog
The Gold Card program, officially established through a presidential executive order signed on September 19, 2025, offers a new pathway for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency in the United States. Unlike traditional immigration routes—which often require investment, business creation, job offers, or long waiting periods—the Gold Card provides an expedited path to permanent residence in exchange for a substantial financial contribution.
This program bypasses many of the traditional barriers associated with investment-based immigration. Instead of requiring business establishment and job creation, applicants can obtain permanent residency (and later, eligibility for citizenship) through a one-time financial gift/donation.
Individual Applicants:
A contribution of $1,000,000 (non-refundable gift/donation) is required.
Corporate-Sponsored Applicants:
Applications submitted through a company or organizational sponsor require a $2,000,000 contribution.
Initial Processing Fee:
Before the application is reviewed, USCIS will collect a $15,000 processing/vetting fee, which is non-refundable.
Permanent Residency Approval:
Upon successful background checks and completion of immigration processing, the applicant may be granted Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status.
Corporate Sponsorship Considerations:
Applications submitted through a corporate sponsor may involve additional administrative, compliance, or sponsorship-maintenance fees as outlined in the executive order.
The executive order states that the financial gift provided under the Gold Card program may be treated as evidence satisfying criteria traditionally required for certain employment-based immigrant categories, including:
EB-1 Extraordinary Ability
EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)
This means the financial contribution can replace typical evidentiary requirements such as national-interest documentation, achievement records, or employer sponsorship.
Importantly:
The Gold Card does not eliminate or repeal NIW or EB-1/EB-2 categories.
Instead, it creates an alternative pathway for individuals who would otherwise apply under these categories but prefer a faster route that does not require extensive documentation or long adjudication periods.
Following the issuance of the executive order, relevant federal agencies (Department of Commerce, USCIS, Department of State) have 90 days to finalize regulatory and operational procedures.
Several sources report that the program is expected to open for public applications on December 18, 2025.
Applicants must wait for the official release of:
the fully approved USCIS form
detailed filing instructions
the finalized processing system
Only after these are published will applicants be able to submit the processing fee and, later, the required donation.
Eliminates the need for traditional investment requirements such as business creation or job generation.
Offers a potentially much faster route to permanent residency.
Simplifies the process for highly skilled individuals (NIW/EB-1 applicants) by replacing extensive documentation with a financial contribution.
Provides a direct, predictable pathway to LPR status without relying on employer sponsorship or labor certifications.
The program shifts immigration criteria away from economic contribution via business activity and toward a donation-based model, which some experts view as ethically and politically controversial.
Regulatory details, processing systems, and USCIS operational guidelines are still under development, creating uncertainty.
Because the program was created entirely through an executive order, future administrations or Congress may modify, suspend, or repeal it.
The Trump Gold Card represents a significant new option for individuals seeking permanent residency in the United States—particularly those who would typically apply through NIW or Extraordinary Ability categories. By substituting documentation and long processing times with a financial contribution, the program offers a streamlined and accelerated alternative to traditional pathways.
However, applicants should remain aware of the program’s early stage, potential policy changes, and the significant financial commitment required. As official USCIS guidance and final application procedures are released, prospective applicants should carefully evaluate timelines, obligations, and long-term implications.
The Gold Card program, officially established through a presidential executive order signed on September 19, 2025, offers a new pathway for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency in the United States. Unlike traditional immigration routes—which often require investment, business creation, job offers, or long waiting periods—the Gold Card provides an expedited path to permanent residence in exchange for a substantial financial contribution.
This program bypasses many of the traditional barriers associated with investment-based immigration. Instead of requiring business establishment and job creation, applicants can obtain permanent residency (and later, eligibility for citizenship) through a one-time financial gift/donation.
Individual Applicants:
A contribution of $1,000,000 (non-refundable gift/donation) is required.
Corporate-Sponsored Applicants:
Applications submitted through a company or organizational sponsor require a $2,000,000 contribution.
Initial Processing Fee:
Before the application is reviewed, USCIS will collect a $15,000 processing/vetting fee, which is non-refundable.
Permanent Residency Approval:
Upon successful background checks and completion of immigration processing, the applicant may be granted Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status.
Corporate Sponsorship Considerations:
Applications submitted through a corporate sponsor may involve additional administrative, compliance, or sponsorship-maintenance fees as outlined in the executive order.
The executive order states that the financial gift provided under the Gold Card program may be treated as evidence satisfying criteria traditionally required for certain employment-based immigrant categories, including:
EB-1 Extraordinary Ability
EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)
This means the financial contribution can replace typical evidentiary requirements such as national-interest documentation, achievement records, or employer sponsorship.
Importantly:
The Gold Card does not eliminate or repeal NIW or EB-1/EB-2 categories.
Instead, it creates an alternative pathway for individuals who would otherwise apply under these categories but prefer a faster route that does not require extensive documentation or long adjudication periods.
Following the issuance of the executive order, relevant federal agencies (Department of Commerce, USCIS, Department of State) have 90 days to finalize regulatory and operational procedures.
Several sources report that the program is expected to open for public applications on December 18, 2025.
Applicants must wait for the official release of:
the fully approved USCIS form
detailed filing instructions
the finalized processing system
Only after these are published will applicants be able to submit the processing fee and, later, the required donation.
Eliminates the need for traditional investment requirements such as business creation or job generation.
Offers a potentially much faster route to permanent residency.
Simplifies the process for highly skilled individuals (NIW/EB-1 applicants) by replacing extensive documentation with a financial contribution.
Provides a direct, predictable pathway to LPR status without relying on employer sponsorship or labor certifications.
The program shifts immigration criteria away from economic contribution via business activity and toward a donation-based model, which some experts view as ethically and politically controversial.
Regulatory details, processing systems, and USCIS operational guidelines are still under development, creating uncertainty.
Because the program was created entirely through an executive order, future administrations or Congress may modify, suspend, or repeal it.
The Trump Gold Card represents a significant new option for individuals seeking permanent residency in the United States—particularly those who would typically apply through NIW or Extraordinary Ability categories. By substituting documentation and long processing times with a financial contribution, the program offers a streamlined and accelerated alternative to traditional pathways.
However, applicants should remain aware of the program’s early stage, potential policy changes, and the significant financial commitment required. As official USCIS guidance and final application procedures are released, prospective applicants should carefully evaluate timelines, obligations, and long-term implications.
The journey to your dreams!
Sign up now to access our comprehensive guide on important topics such as visa processes, job finding strategies and living costs for those considering moving to America!
Sign Up Now
Startup Yatırımınızı Amerika’ya Taşıyarak Küresel Pazara Açılın
Read Blog
Amerika'da yaşam
Read Blog
Green Card İçin İş Garantisi: Amerika'ya Taşınmanın Anahtarı
Read Blog
The journey to your dreams!
Sign up now to access our comprehensive guide on important topics such as visa processes, job finding strategies and living costs for those considering moving to America!
Sign Up Now
BRBF Immigration Solutions LLC
104 Ten Eyck Pl #6 Guilderland NY
12084
+1 (518)
603-1682
[email protected]
+1 518-603-3299
© 2024 BRBF Immigration Solutions LLC
© 2024 BRBF Immigration Solutions LLC
U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services 
U.S. Department of
State
