The “Gold Card” Visa Program has Officially Launched
The Gold Card visa program is now live, although we recommend proceeding with caution because it has a nonrefundable $15,000 application fee per applicant (yes, it applies to every person in your family if you have accompanying dependents). The Gold Card was created by the Trump Administration to prioritize the entry of foreign nationals who are entrepreneurs, investors, and businesspeople, while also emphasizing public safety and national security concerns. The program is overseen by the Secretary of Commerce.
Eligibility Pathways and Key Requirements
The Gold Card is built on two existing employment-based immigrant pathways:
EB-1A for individuals of extraordinary ability, or
EB-2 for individuals of exceptional ability seeking a National Interest Waiver (NIW)
The petition may be filed either by (1) an individual self-petitioner or (2) a corporation/similar entity on behalf of an individual.
Eligibility is tied to making an “unrestricted gift” to the Department of Commerce. These monetary gifts are deposited in the U.S. Treasury in a separate fund and overseen by the Department of Commerce.
Financial Contributions and Fees
The “gift” amounts are as follows:
$1 million if the individual donates on their own behalf (with an additional $1 million for each accompanying family member).
$2 million if a corporation or similar entity donates on behalf of the individual.
In addition to the “gift,” a USCIS filing fee of $15,000 per person is required. This fee is non-refundable, regardless of outcome or processing time.
Here’s a “real life” cost illustration: if an individual is filing for a family of four, the gift could total $4 million (plus $60,000 in filing fees).
Form I-140G: Filing Process and Required Supporting Documentation
On December 10, 2025, Form I-140G, Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program, was released by USCIS. The Form requires selecting EB-1A vs. EB-2 NIW and whether the filing is by an individual self-petitioner or a corporate/similar entity (including listing any spouse/children also requesting a Gold Card). It's unclear why anyone would choose EB-2 over EB-1 because the EB-2 category is backlogged for all nationals and the wait for a green card is longer than under EB-1.
The petition must also establish (1) sufficient funds to make the required unrestricted gift, and (2) that the funds were obtained through lawful means.
What the process appears to look like:
Applicants first register through trumpcard.gov and pay the $15,000 per person application fee.
After USCIS confirms acceptance of the submission and fee(s), the applicant may complete and submit Form I-140G online.
Instructions to pay the required “gift” will be sent to the applicant.
Additionally, USCIS may issue Requests for Evidence (RFEs), request originals, and require interviews during adjudication.
Backlogs based on country of birth under the EB-1 and EB-2 categories will apply.
Implementation Timeline
The Executive Order directs the Departments of Commerce, State, and Homeland Security to take steps to implement the program within 90 days. It directs an expedited process, but only “to the extent consistent with law” and subject to public safety and national security concerns.
Even though the trumpcard.gov site is live and Form I-140G with instructions is now available, further agency guidance on how the program will operate in practice should be forthcoming.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
This alert is for informational purposes only. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this development further.