US President Donald Trump kicked off the launch of his Gold Card initiative with the unveiling of the new website trumpcard.gov on a Truth Social post on Tuesday.
The Gold Card program, first announced in February, offers an expedited route to US citizenship through a combination of processing fees and mandatory financial contributions referred to as a “gift.”
Trump’s post stated, “THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT’S TRUMP GOLD CARD IS HERE TODAY! A direct path to Citizenship for all qualified and vetted people. SO EXCITING! Our Great American Companies can finally keep their invaluable Talent. Live Site opens in 30 minutes!”
According to the website trumpcard.gov, the Trump Gold Card is a visa pathway for individuals who can provide a “substantial benefit” to the United States. Applicants begin by paying a $15,000 nonrefundable DHS processing fee.
Once that fee is submitted, officials place the petition and visa adjudication on an expedited track. After vetting is completed, applicants are expected to make a $1 million gift, which the program lists as evidence that the individual will benefit the country.
On the Gold Card website, an asterisk states: “Additional small fees to the US Department of State may apply depending on the applicant.”
The program also includes a corporate version. The Trump Corporate Gold Card allows companies to sponsor employees, with each employee requiring a $15,000 DHS processing fee and a $2 million gift after vetting.
Corporate sponsors may apply for multiple employees at once and may transfer a previously submitted gift to a new employee if the original beneficiary's sponsorship ends. The Corporate Gold Card carries a 1% annual maintenance fee and a 5% transfer fee, which includes a new DHS background check.
Successful applicants may receive EB-1 or EB-2 lawful permanent resident status, depending on DHS determination and visa availability. To qualify, applicants must be eligible for permanent residency, admissible to the United States, and have a visa number available. The program notes that some countries may face waits of a year or more based on visa limits.
Family members are eligible
Family members, such as spouses and unmarried children under 21, may be included in the initial submission, with an additional $15,000 DHS processing fee and a $1 million "gift" required for each. The website states that Gold Card status may be revoked for national security or significant criminal grounds.
Applicants will submit forms and processing fees online, after which DHS begins vetting. Those who pass vetting receive instructions on how to provide the required "gift contribution." USCIS will then email applicants with directions to create a myUSCIS.gov account, which is used to track updates and upload any necessary documents.
The website notes that the State Department may request additional information as part of the process.
Officials indicate that the overall timeline should take weeks once the application and fee are received, provided applicants attend their visa interview and submit documents promptly.
Payment options include a credit card or ACH debit for the $15,000 fee, and ACH debit or SWIFT wire transfer for the $1 million or $2 million "gift" once vetting is complete. Visa and medical exam fees are handled directly through State Department channels.
Permanent residents approved under the program are subject to US taxation, including taxes on non-US income.
A separate offering, the Trump Platinum Card, has not yet launched. It is described as allowing individuals to reside in the United States for up to 270 days per year without being subject to US tax on non-US income.
The program lists a $5 million contribution, though it notes that the amount may change. A waitlist for the Platinum Card is currently open.