Trump Gold Card Citizenship Pathway | Complete Guide

President Donald Trump first introduced the idea of the “Gold Card” visa in February 2025, describing it as a pathway to U.S. residency for wealthy foreigners willing to invest $5 million, aiming to replace the existing EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program. More details have come out following an executive order on September 19th, which aims to expedite its launch in 90 days from the date of the order. Learn all about the Gold Card, its cost, requirements, and the latest news.

What is the Gold Card?

The Gold Card is a new visa program that offers an expedited process for obtaining an immigrant visa. It is designed for individuals who can make a significant financial contribution, termed as a “gift” in official policy updates, to the United States.

Gold Card Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Gold Card, an individual must make a substantial, unrestricted gift to the Department of Commerce. The required gift amounts are:

• Individual Sponsorship: $1 million for an individual donating on their own behalf.
• Corporate Sponsorship: $2 million for a corporation or similar entity donating on behalf of an individual.

This gift is considered evidence of:

• Extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
• Exceptional business ability.
• Eligibility for a national interest waiver.

How To Apply for the Gold Card

The Gold Card program has not yet officially launched, but a waitlist has been added on the Trumpcard.gov website. However, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Homeland Security have been instructed to establish a clear process within 90 days of September 19, 2025, with a deadline of December 18th.

The process should include guidelines for:

• Application and expedited adjudication of Gold Card petitions.
• Visa issuance and adjustment of status.
• The date on which applicants may begin to submit gifts.

Administrative fees will be established to cover the cost of this expedited processing.

Gold Card Benefits

1. The program offers a fast-tracked and simplified route to U.S. residency for adjudication, visa issuance, and adjustment of status. Relative to other green cards that can take years to complete, this is a significant benefit.
2. Instead of providing extensive documentation to prove exceptional skills or the national benefit of their work, applicants can establish eligibility through a financial gift
3. A corporation or similar entity can make the financial gift on behalf of an individual, allowing companies to sponsor key personnel.
4. The Gold Card allows for a form of transferability. If a corporately sponsored individual abandons their status, the company can designate a new individual to benefit from the original gift.

What is Corporate Sponsorship?

Corporations will be able to sponsor an individual for a Gold Card by making a $2 million donation. The program will include a process for allowing the sponsor to transfer the benefits of the original gift to a different individual.

The new individual will still be subject to all the standard application and screening procedures. Maintenance and transfer fees for corporate sponsorship will also be established.

How Will This Impact Other Visas

While nothing concrete has been established, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated the EB-1 and EB-2 visa programs, for people who are of “exceptional value” to the United States, will be replaced by the gold card.

What is the Pathway to Citizenship?

The administration hasn’t defined a clear path to citizenship. However, with most investor or business green cards, the green card holder can apply for citizenship within 5 years after obtaining lawful permanent resident status. The five-year period of continuous residence is a key requirement for naturalization.

What is the Trump Platinum Card?

In addition to the Trump Gold Card, Trump has also proposed the Platinum Card. This card will enable foreigners to invest a 5 million dollar contribution, and enable beneficiaries to spend up to 270 days in the United States without being subject to U.S. taxes on non-immigrants. U.S. income.

What is the Vetting Fee?

Secretary Lutnick outlined the fee structure during a press briefing, suggesting that all applicants would be required to pay a non-refundable $15,000 processing and vetting fee.

VisaNation Gold Card Analysis

The current policies outlined for the “Gold Card” suggest a significant change in the way U.S. immigration law could define a “high-value” immigrant. Whereas the current EB-5 program requires investors to make an at-risk investment in the United States that creates jobs for Americans, the Gold Card places more weight on the applicant’s ability to be a direct financial contributor. The new system essentially monetizes access to U.S. residency, with the applicants’ value tied to their ability to make a non-refundable, significant contribution directly to a government fund.

The Trump Gold Card program will almost certainly be challenged in court. There is a good chance a judge will temporarily freeze the program, but a final decision on it’s passing may require a long legal fight that lands in the Supreme Court.