The United States has opened applications for President Donald Trump’s Gold Card visa, a high-value immigration pathway that promises record-time permanent residency to wealthy foreign nationals. Rolled out through Executive Order 14351 and promoted heavily online, the programme introduces a $1 million investment requirement for individuals seeking expedited green cards, with a $5 million Platinum Card also in development.
Launched amid mass deportation efforts and tightened immigration policies, the Gold Card stands out for offering speed and certainty to applicants who pass federal vetting. The new system has already sparked sharp debate over the growing divide between investment-led visas and traditional immigration routes.
Key Takeaways: Trump’s Gold Card Visa Benefits, Costs and Application Requirements
1. Fast-track US residency through a phased $1 million payment
Applicants first pay a $15,000 DHS processing fee; the $1 million residency payment is made only after full DHS approval.
2. Corporate Gold Card offers accelerated green cards for $2 million per employee
Businesses can sponsor high-value workers, with added maintenance and transfer fees.
3. Platinum Card promises tax-free foreign income stays for $5 million
Still waitlisted, the Platinum Card will allow up to 270 days per year in the US without tax on non-US income.
4. Programme launched under Executive Order 14351
The scheme aims to retain top global talent and generate “many billions of dollars” for federal initiatives.
5. Rollout coincides with sweeping immigration crackdowns
The administration has intensified deportations, paused asylum decisions and restricted visas even as it opens doors for wealthy applicants.
A High-Value Pathway: What the Gold Card Visa Offers
Trump’s Gold Card programme represents one of the most significant pivots in modern US immigration policy, introducing an investment-driven model that prioritises economic contribution and professional merit. The administration markets the visa as “somewhat like a green card, but with big advantages”, including faster processing and a clear route to citizenship for vetted candidates.
According to the official website, successful applicants will receive permanent residency “in record time” once eligibility conditions and background checks are met. Trump argues that the programme allows the US to retain exceptional graduates and high-performing professionals who would otherwise be compelled to return to their home countries due to restrictive visa rules.
Full Price Breakdown: What Applicants Must Pay
Cost Structure for Individual Applicants
| Payment Type | Amount | Timing |
| DHS Processing Fee | $15,000 (non-refundable) | At application |
| Residency “Gift” | $1,000,000 | After DHS approval |
| Additional State Fees | Variable | During processing |
The total individual cost sits at $1,015,000 before any supplementary Department of State fees.
Corporate Sponsorship Costs
| Payment Type | Amount |
| DHS Processing Fee | $15,000 per employee |
| Corporate “Gift” | $2,000,000 per employee |
| Annual Maintenance Fee | 1% ($20,000) |
| Transfer Fee | 5% ($100,000) |
Companies may transfer the Corporate Gold Card from one employee to another by paying the transfer fee, which includes DHS background screening for the replacement worker.
Why the Programme Was Created: Addressing Talent Loss
Trump frequently highlights that many outstanding international students — particularly from India, China and Europe — graduate from elite US universities but are forced to return home due to visa constraints. He claims companies like Apple, IBM and Dell have expressed frustration over losing top talent.
In public remarks, Trump referenced discussions with Apple CEO Tim Cook, noting that firms hesitate to hire high-ranking graduates because “you don’t know whether or not you can keep the person.” The Gold Card, he says, eliminates this uncertainty by allowing employers to “buy certainty” and retain essential workers.
Also Read: US Government Shutdown 2025: H-1B Visa Pause, Student Loans Continue, and VOA Broadcasts Halted
Demand appears strong: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reported 10,000 pre-registrations even before the programme officially launched.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process for the Gold Card Visa
Applications are submitted at trumpcard.gov, where users can choose between the Gold Card, the Corporate Gold Card, or the waitlisted Platinum Card.
Step 1: Submit Application Details
Applicants must provide:
- Full name
- Phone number and email
- Gender
- Place and country of birth
- Citizenship information
- Residential address
- Number of family members (spouse and children under 21)
They then pay the $15,375 processing fee (including a surcharge for card payments).
Step 2: DHS and USCIS Background Screening
Once the application is filed, USCIS conducts extensive background checks on the applicant and all included dependants. This stage may involve interviews, documentation requests and security clearance procedures.
Step 3: Final Approval and Payment of the $1 Million Fee
Only after DHS approves the applicant does the $1 million residency fee become payable. Upon payment, individuals receive permanent residency under EB-1 or EB-2 classifications, covering all 50 states and US territories.
Eligible spouses and children may be added, each requiring their own $15,000 processing fee and $1 million contribution.
Platinum Card: The Premium $5 Million Tier
Still marked as “coming soon”, the Trump Platinum Card will require:
- A $15,000 DHS processing fee
- A $5 million contribution
Approved applicants will be permitted to spend up to 270 days in the United States without taxation on foreign income, offering one of the most generous tax advantages of any US residency option.
A Programme Launching Amid Intensified Immigration Enforcement
The Gold Card initiative is emerging alongside some of the most aggressive immigration actions in recent US history. The administration has:
- Devoted major resources to deporting millions of undocumented migrants
- Halted asylum decision-making
- Suspended visa issuance for nationals from 19 countries under a travel ban
- Announced a $100,000 fee for certain new H-1B applicants abroad
The contrast between a multimillion-dollar residency pathway and sweeping enforcement measures has been sharply criticised. Critics argue that selling visas undermines fairness and American ideals, while supporters claim it strengthens economic competitiveness and funds national priorities.
A Transformative Shift in US Immigration Strategy
The Trump Gold Card visa formalises a new era of investment-led immigration, allowing the US to attract high-net-worth individuals and retain specialised global talent while generating billions in revenue. By linking residency to financial contribution and stringent vetting, the administration positions the programme as both a national security safeguard and an economic catalyst.
Yet the launch also highlights widening disparities within the immigration system, where the wealthy may purchase speed and certainty even as other pathways tighten dramatically.
FAQs on Trump’s $1M Gold Card Visa Programme
1. What is Trump’s Gold Card visa?
Trump’s Gold Card is a fast-track US residency programme offering expedited EB-1 or EB-2 green cards to vetted applicants who pay a $15,000 fee and a $1 million contribution.
2. How much does the Trump Gold Card cost?
Individual applicants pay a $15,000 processing fee and a $1 million residency contribution. Corporate sponsors must pay $2 million plus annual maintenance and transfer fees.
3. When do applicants pay the $1 million Gold Card fee?
The $1 million fee is paid only after DHS completes background checks and approves the applicant for permanent residency.
4. What are the benefits of the Trump Platinum Card?
The $5 million Platinum Card allows stays up to 270 days in the US without tax on foreign income, pending rigorous federal vetting. Applications remain waitlisted.
5. How do applicants apply for the Trump Gold Card visa?
Applicants apply through trumpcard.gov, submit personal details, pay the $15,375 fee, undergo USCIS background checks, and then pay $1 million after approval.
