President Donald Trump launched a new immigration initiative called Trump's Gold Card, which enables affluent foreign nationals to become permanent residents of the United States.
Instead of using conventional investment or work paths, the program is intended to provide a quicker pathway to a Green Card and ultimately citizenship based on a financial donation. It signifies a dramatic change in the US's strategy for investor-based immigration.
On September 19, 2025, an executive order was signed that established the Gold Card program. In order to achieve national economic objectives, the directive instructed the Departments of Commerce, State, and Homeland Security to establish a new immigration process that utilizes financial donations. The program is a high-value, simplified substitute for current investor visa categories, according to the White House.
The card is "basically a Green Card, but much better," according to President Trump. "Much more powerful, a much stronger path," emphasizing the advantages his government views above previous methods. Applicants can begin the procedure on the government website (trumpcard.gov) as the program is now formally open.
With the same rights to live and work as a Green Card holder, the card grants the holder lawful permanent residency in the United States upon approval. Cardholders may eventually seek US citizenship by going through the standard naturalization procedure.
A processing charge and a mandatory donation to the US Treasury are the expenses associated with the Gold Card program. The processing fee, which is a fixed sum used to finance the government's administrative and security checks, must be paid by each application.
To be eligible for the Gold Card residency status after screening, a person must contribute $1 million to the US Treasury. In addition to the regular processing charge, employers requesting cards for international employees must pay an additional $2 million per employee.
Taxes, legal fees, travel expenses, and other expenditures applicants may pay during the process are not included in these donations. Similar to a Green Card, the Gold Card grants bearers permanent residency status in the US after approval and payment.
With this status, people can live and work anywhere in the nation without being constrained by visas for certain jobs or objectives. Cardholders can apply for US citizenship through the standard naturalization process after gradually fulfilling residency criteria.
According to the administration, the program's goal is to boost the US economy by drawing in skilled personnel and foreign investment. Additionally, officials claim it would help US businesses fill critical positions that are in short supply and retain international talent.
The EB-5 investor visa program, which requires investment in a US firm and establishing at least 10 jobs for US workers, was commonly employed by wealthy immigrants prior to the Gold Card.
The Gold Card is centered on direct contributions to the Treasury and does not necessitate the creation of specific jobs. The government presents it as a quicker, easier solution that nevertheless serves US economic objectives.
