Trump Gold Card Program

New Immigration Pathway through Substantial Financial Contributions

Bovino Law Group – Immigration Advisory January 11, 2026

The Trump Gold Card Program has emerged as a significant new option in U.S. immigration policy, offering a pathway to lawful permanent residence (green card status) through substantial financial contributions to the U.S. government. Launched following an executive order in September 2025, the program is now accepting applications through the official portal at trumpcard.gov.

This initiative enables qualifying individuals and corporate sponsors to pursue residency under existing employment-based categories—specifically EB-1 (Extraordinary Ability) or EB-2 (including National Interest Waiver provisions)—with the financial gift serving as key evidence of eligibility and national benefit. The program emphasizes expedited processing where possible, subject to standard security vetting, lawful source-of-funds requirements, and visa availability per the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin.

Cost Structure

The financial commitments are significant and non-refundable:

• Individual Applicants: $15,000 non-refundable processing fee (paid upfront via pay.gov) plus a $1 million unrestricted gift to the U.S. government (typically to the Department of Commerce or Treasury, depending on guidance).
• Corporate Sponsors: $15,000 processing fee per employee, along with a $2 million gift per sponsored individual. Companies may petition for multiple employees simultaneously and can reallocate a prior $2 million gift to a new employee without an additional donation (subject to any applicable maintenance or transfer fees outlined in program rules).
• Dependents (spouse and unmarried children under 21): Each requires their own $15,000 processing fee and $1 million gift. For example, a principal applicant with a spouse and two children would face $4 million in gifts plus $60,000 in fees.

These contributions are positioned as demonstrations of the applicant’s ability to substantially benefit the United States, supporting commerce, industry, and national interests.

How the Program Operates

Applicants apply under modified EB-1 or EB-2 frameworks, where traditional criteria (such as extraordinary ability evidence or national interest arguments) may be supplemented or satisfied by the gift. Visa numbers remain limited by per-country caps and annual quotas, so backlogs could apply for nationals of high-demand countries.

The process involves:

1. Initial Registration – Submit personal and family details on trumpcard.gov.
2. Processing Fee Payment – Pay the $15,000 fee per person.
3. Petition Filing – Submit Form I-140G (Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program) online through USCIS, including:
   • Comprehensive employment and education history.
   • Disclosure of any prior government or military roles.
   • Full financial account details (including cryptocurrency, which must be blockchain-traceable).
   • Detailed source-of-funds evidence.
   • For corporate sponsors: Business documentation like tax returns or audited financials.
4. Gift Payment – After preliminary approval and vetting, remit the $1 million (individual) or $2 million (corporate) gift via ACH or wire.
5. Final Steps – Complete consular processing (Form DS-260 and in-person interview at a U.S. consulate) or adjustment of status if eligible.

Key Considerations and Next Steps

The Gold Card represents a shift toward prioritizing high-net-worth contributors, differing from traditional investor programs like EB-5 (which require job creation). A future Platinum Card program has been mentioned, potentially offering enhanced benefits, though details remain limited.

Our immigration team at Bovino Law Group closely monitors developments in this evolving program. We advise prospective applicants to carefully evaluate eligibility, source-of-funds documentation, visa backlog implications, and overall strategy.

For personalized advice on whether the Gold Card aligns with your circumstances—whether as an individual high-net-worth applicant, corporate sponsor, or family unit—contact Bovino Law Group today. Our experienced attorneys can guide you through registration, petition preparation, and compliance to pursue this opportunity effectively.

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