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Trump Gold Card FAQ

This Trump Gold Card FAQ answers the key questions that high-net-worth individuals and employers usually ask first: what the program is, how much it costs, who qualifies, how long it takes, and what risks are involved.

For more detailed analysis, you can use the links to the other Gold Card pages on this site. If you have questions about your specific situation, you can also schedule a free consultation.

What is the Trump Gold Card program?

The Trump Gold Card is an immigration program created by executive order that offers a path to U.S. permanent residence for certain high-net-worth applicants. In exchange for a large, unrestricted financial gift to the United States and a nonrefundable DHS fee, qualifying applicants may obtain an immigrant visa under existing EB-1 or EB-2 categories.

The program relies on a new USCIS petition, Form I-140G, and an online portal at TrumpCard.gov for registration, fee payment, and coordination with USCIS and the Department of State.

For a broader overview, see the main Trump Gold Card Overview page.

Is the Trump Gold Card a new visa category in U.S. immigration law?

No. The Trump Gold Card is not a new statutory visa category. There is no separate “Gold Card” section in the Immigration and Nationality Act. Instead, the program is created by Executive Order 14351 and implemented by DHS through Form I-140G and agency guidance.

Approved Gold Card cases use existing EB-1 or EB-2 immigrant visa numbers, which means they are subject to the same worldwide and per-country limits as other employment-based immigrants in those categories.

For a deeper look at the legal foundation, see Trump Gold Card Legal Basis.

How much does the Trump Gold Card cost?

The cost has three main components:

• A $15,000, nonrefundable DHS processing fee per person (principal, spouse, and each unmarried child under 21)
• A large gift to the United States, typically:
  • At least $1 million per person in individual filings, or
  • $2 million for the principal employee plus $1 million per dependent in most corporate filings
• Standard government filing fees and any attorney’s fees or professional fees

The gift is not an investment and is generally not refundable, even if the case is later denied.

For more detail on payment structure, see Eligibility Requirements.

Who is eligible for the Trump Gold Card?

Eligibility is not based on wealth alone. To qualify, an applicant generally must:

• Have the financial capacity to pay the $15,000 DHS fee per person and make the required gift
• Pass background, security, and admissibility checks
• Document the lawful source and path of funds for the gift
• Qualify under EB-1 or EB-2 standards, typically in EB-1A (extraordinary ability) or EB-2 with a national interest waiver

In practice, successful applicants will usually be senior executives, entrepreneurs, investors, or other high-achieving professionals whose records can support an EB-1 or EB-2 case even apart from the gift.

For a fuller discussion, see Eligibility Requirements.

Can my spouse and children get Trump Gold Cards with me?

Yes. In most cases, a principal applicant can include a spouse and unmarried children under 21, but each family member is treated as a separate applicant for purposes of fees, vetting, and the gift requirement.

That typically means:

• A separate $15,000 DHS processing fee for each family member
• A separate $1 million gift amount associated with each derivative in individual or corporate filings (based on current guidance)
• Background, security, and admissibility checks for each person

Families should carefully evaluate the total cost and consider whether all family members should apply together or whether some may use other immigration strategies.

How long does the Trump Gold Card process take?

The Trump administration has promoted the Gold Card as an expedited option, but there is no guaranteed timeline. Overall processing time depends on:

• How long DHS takes to complete initial vetting after the $15,000 fee is paid
• USCIS processing time for Form I-140G and any Requests for Evidence
• Visa-number availability in EB-1 or EB-2 for your country of chargeability
• National Visa Center and consular processing backlogs at your U.S. embassy or consulate

For some applicants, the process could take months; for others, especially those from heavily backlogged countries, it may still take years. Marketing claims should always be weighed against actual agency timelines.

Is the Trump Gold Card replacing the EB-5 investor visa?

No. The EB-5 immigrant investor program still exists, and no law has repealed it. The Trump Gold Card is a separate, executive-branch initiative that uses gifts instead of at-risk investments and relies on EB-1/EB-2 visa numbers rather than the EB-5 category.

That said, some policymakers have described the Gold Card as a preferred alternative and have suggested that EB-5 may be deemphasized in practice, though without the job creation requirement it is unclear how the Trump Gold Card benefits the United States.

For a deeper comparison of structure, cost, and risk, see Trump Gold Card vs. EB-5.

What are the main risks of the Trump Gold Card?

Key risks include:

• Policy risk: The program is based on an executive order and agency guidance, which a future administration could change, narrow, or rescind
• Visa-number impact: Gold Card cases use EB-1 and EB-2 visa numbers, potentially increasing backlogs for other applicants
• Financial risk: Gifts are large, permanent transfers; the funds are not returned if a case is denied or the program changes
• Compliance risk: Detailed source-of-funds, anti–money laundering, and sanctions screening can delay or derail a case
• Tax and reputational risk: Large cross-border transfers may have tax consequences and may raise public or stakeholder questions

These risks are significant and should be weighed against any potential benefits.

For more detail, see Gold Card Risks & Controversies.

Do I need an immigration lawyer for a Trump Gold Card case?

There is no legal requirement that you hire an attorney, but most serious Gold Card applicants will work with an experienced immigration lawyer, along with tax and financial advisors. Reasons include:

• The need to match your profile to EB-1 or EB-2 standards, not just the Gold Card marketing language
• Complex source-of-funds and path-of-funds documentation
• Coordination between TrumpCard.gov, USCIS, and the U.S. consulate abroad
• The high financial and policy stakes if something goes wrong

An attorney’s role is not only to prepare forms, but to help you decide whether the Gold Card is actually the best option compared to EB-5, traditional employment-based options, or family-based immigration.

Still Have Questions?

The Trump Gold Card is new, high-profile, and likely to evolve as agencies issue more guidance and as early cases move through the system. If you have questions that go beyond these FAQs, or if you want to compare the Gold Card to other options, you can schedule a free consultation with my office.

Related Pages

• Trump Gold Card Overview
• Trump Gold Card Legal Basis
• Eligibility Requirements
• Application Process
• Risks & Controversies
• Trump Gold Card vs. EB-5

Disclaimer: This page provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice. The Trump Gold Card program and related agency guidance may change. Always consult with a qualified immigration attorney about your specific situation.

Last updated: December 2025