On Wednesday December 10, 2025, President Donald Trump officially launched his “Gold Card” visa program, a new immigration pathway that will allow an individual to “make [a] required unrestricted gift to the Department of Commerce” of $1 million (per applicant) to expedite their immigrant visa application, or $2 million for a corporation or similar entity “donating” on behalf of an individual. We initially reported on this program in March 2025, but it has now been rolled out. 

Following this announcement, the Administration released the program’s official visa website, trumpcard.gov. USCIS also subsequently released the Form I-140G, Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program, along with instructions for the form on its website. 

Process  

Similar to many other immigration benefits, pursuing the Gold Card is done through multiple steps. Though many reports and the government’s information about the Gold Card note that it is an expedites process, there many still be a wait depending on the requested classification and the availability of immigrant visas. The current steps are as follows: 

• An applicant must first register their information on trumpcard.gov by providing biographical, contact, and address information, as well as the applicant’s number of family members.  
• Once submitted, the applicant or sponsor will be directed to pay the DHS nonrefundable “expedited processing” fee of $15,000 (per applicant) via credit card or ACH debit on the Department of Treasury’s website pay.gov.  
• Once the submission is accepted, USCIS will notify them to create or log into their USCIS online account to work on the next step of this expedited process, filling out Form I-140G. 
• Filling out the Form I-140G through an applicant’s USCIS online account is the next step of the Gold Card process, which USCIS will use to ensure that the applicant/sponsor has sufficient funds to make the required unrestricted gift and that these funds were obtained through lawful means.   
  • Note: The Form I-140G can only be filed through your USCIS online account; it cannot be mailed as a paper-based form. 
• After the applicant has virtually signed the petition and submitted it via their online USCIS account, USCIS will conduct the vetting of the applicant’s funds and will be notified after the initial vetting process is done. USCIS will then send them instruction on how to submit their $1 million or $2 million gift to the Department of Treasury via ACH debit or Swift Wire Transfer. USCIS can approve the petition once the payment is received. 
• Once the petition is approved and there is an immigrant visa number available in the requested employment-based classification, an applicant must complete consular processing with the U.S. Department of State by submitting the Form DS-260G on the Department of State’s website (along with paying applicable filing fees) and providing any necessary evidence requested by the consulate.  
• Once they have successfully been assessed by the consulate, they will receive their Gold Card, or their permanent residency. 

Required Evidence Still Unclear  

Importantly, the form itself and its instructions state that applicants are required to choose an employment-based classification as the basis of their immigrant petition, and the only options available are EB-1A, for noncitizens of extraordinary ability, or EB-2 noncitizens of exceptional ability seeking a National Waiver Interest (NIW). Those requesting the EB-2 classification must also submit an uncertified Form ETA-9089, Application for Permanent Employment Certification, with their supporting evidence. 

The form’s instructions have language indicating that Gold Card applicants will still have to wait for an immigrant visa available in their requested classification, and that wait times for EB-1A applicants and EB-2 applicants may differ based on the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin.  

This question on the first page of the form, along with the form’s instructions, indicates that a Gold Card applicant may still need to meet the criteria for an EB-1A or EB-2 NIW petition to qualify. The Administration is yet to clarify this ambiguity, as neither the instructions nor the form explain what documentation an applicant must provide relating to the requested classification.  

Platinum Card on the Horizon

Many reports also discuss the upcoming ‘Platinum Card’. This program has not been fully released yet, but reportedly would allow individuals to spend up to 270 days in the United States without being subject to U.S. taxation after providing a required contribution of $5 million. Given the tax-related benefits of the Platinum Card, many reports note that it may require Congressional approval before going into effect.  

This is a rapidly developing and new program. We will continue to monitor and provide updates as more information is known about the process and overall benefit.