The Trump Gold Card is a program that lets a foreign national become a U.S. permanent resident (green card holder) by making a $1 million gift to the U.S. government, or $2 million if a company pays on their behalf. Despite how it is sometimes described, the Gold Card is not a form of citizenship and does not let anyone buy a U.S. passport. It leads to a green card, and Gold Card holders must then qualify for citizenship through naturalization like any other permanent resident. This guide explains how the program works, what it costs, and what it means for your path to citizenship.
What Is the Gold Card?
The Gold Card was created by Executive Order 14351, signed on September 19, 2025. It does not create a new visa category. Instead, it treats a qualifying gift to the Department of Commerce as evidence of eligibility for two existing employment-based green card categories: EB-1 (extraordinary ability) and EB-2 with a national interest waiver. Applications opened in December 2025. Read our summaries of the original Gold Card order and of how the program was implemented.
How Much Does the Gold Card Cost?
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gift, individual applicant | $1,000,000 |
| Gift, paid by a company for an employee | $2,000,000 |
| DHS processing fee | $15,000 per person, including each family member |
| Other costs | Immigrant visa fees, medical exam, travel and legal fees |
The gift is structured as an unrestricted, non-refundable payment to the government. Whether separate gifts are required for a spouse and children depends on how the case is filed, so confirm the current rules before committing any funds.
How the Gold Card Process Works
- Register on trumpcard.gov with basic information about the applicant and family members, and pay the $15,000 processing fee per person.
- File Form I-140G online when USCIS invites you to. The form can only be filed through a USCIS online account, not on paper.
- Pass security and source-of-funds review. You must show that the gift money was obtained lawfully.
- Apply for the immigrant visa through the State Department (Form DS-260G) and attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, once a visa number is available in your category.
- Enter the U.S. as a permanent resident. Your green card is mailed to you after admission.
Because the Gold Card uses the EB-1 and EB-2 categories, it is still subject to the annual green card limits for those categories. Applicants born in countries with long EB-1 and EB-2 backlogs, such as India and China, may face a wait for a visa number even after approval.
Does the Gold Card Lead to U.S. Citizenship?
Not directly. A Gold Card holder is a lawful permanent resident with the same status as any other green card holder. To become a U.S. citizen, they must later apply for naturalization and meet the usual requirements:
- Five years as a permanent resident (three years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen).
- Continuous residence in the U.S. Long trips abroad can break it.
- Physical presence in the U.S. for at least half of that period.
- Good moral character, and passing the English and civics tests.
There is no shortcut to citizenship for Gold Card holders. See how long naturalization takes and the differences between permanent residence and citizenship.
What Gold Card Holders Should Know
- U.S. taxes. Permanent residents are generally taxed by the U.S. on their worldwide income. Get tax advice before you immigrate.
- Living in the U.S. A green card is for people who make the U.S. their permanent home. Spending most of your time abroad can lead to a finding that you abandoned your residence.
- Same rules as other green card holders. Gold Card holders can lose their status, and can be deported, on the same grounds as any permanent resident. See deportable offenses for green card holders.
Gold Card vs EB-5 Investor Visa
| Gold Card | EB-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Money required | $1 million gift ($2 million by a company) | $800,000 in a targeted employment area or $1,050,000 elsewhere |
| Is the money returned? | No, it is a gift | It is an investment, which may be returned, but is at risk |
| Job creation required? | No | Yes, 10 full-time jobs |
| Type of green card | Permanent (EB-1 or EB-2) | Conditional for two years, then permanent after Form I-829 |
| Legal basis | Executive order, currently being challenged in court | Statute passed by Congress |
Learn more about the EB-5 investor visa.
Current Status of the Program
The program has moved slowly. In April 2026, the Secretary of Commerce told Congress that only one Gold Card had been approved, with hundreds of applications pending. A lawsuit filed in February 2026 in federal court in Washington, D.C. argues that the program conflicts with the Immigration and Nationality Act. As of mid-2026, no court had blocked the program, but the outcome of the case could affect applicants. Anyone considering a Gold Card should get legal advice on these risks before paying the gift.
Talk to an Investor Immigration Lawyer
BCA Law Firm advises investors and their families on the Gold Card, EB-5 and other employment-based green card options, and can help you compare the costs, risks and timelines. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
