Trump Gold Card: A Complete Guide, Meaning, Purpose, Cost, and How to Apply

The Trump Gold Card does not grant instant U.S. citizenship, nor does it bypass immigration law or vetting.

What it does offer, according to government and immigration reporting, is a fast-tracked pathway to U.S. permanent residency (a green card) for applicants who:

Meet the required financial contribution threshold, and qualify under existing employment-based standards (primarily EB-1 or EB-2 National Interest Waiver–style criteria), and

Pass strict background, security, and source-of-funds checks. Citizenship, if pursued, follows the regular legal timeline after obtaining permanent residence, typically five years.

Any website or agent claiming the Gold Card:

1. Guarantees citizenship.
2. Skips vetting.
3. Eliminates eligibility requirements.

It is either misinformed or intentionally misleading.

• It Is Not Political Merchandise or a Private Membership Product

This is where much of the confusion originated.

The Trump Gold Card is not campaign merchandise, a collectible, or a supporter membership sold by private vendors. It is not comparable to commemorative cards, donor perks, or branded political products.

Instead, official and media reports describe the Gold Card program as a government-linked immigration initiative launched through executive action and implemented through federal immigration processes.

Trump Gold Card vs Trump Corporate Card vs Trump Platinum Card

• The Trump Corporate Gold Card is issued to a corporate sponsor for one or more of the sponsor’s employees. To apply, the corporate sponsor must pay a nonrefundable $15,000 DHS processing fee per employee. Corporate sponsors may apply for multiple employees at once. Your Trump Corporate Gold Card allows your business to transfer access from one employee to another for a small 5% transfer fee, which includes the cost of a DHS background check. A 1% annual maintenance fee will also apply.
  

• The Trump Gold Card is an official, government-linked immigration program listed on trumpcard.gov that provides an expedited pathway to U.S. permanent residency for qualifying applicants who meet strict financial and legal requirements.

• The Trump Platinum Card will allow individual applicants to reside in the United States for up to 270 days per year without being subject to U.S. tax on non-U.S. income. No more need for travel visas.

Why Does the Trump Gold Card Exist?

On September 19, 2025, President Donald Trump made an executive order on the Gold card, which reads:

“The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall establish a “Gold Card” program authorizing an alien who makes an unrestricted gift to the Department of Commerce under 15 U.S.C. 1522 (or for whom a corporation or similar entity makes such a gift) to establish eligibility for an immigrant visa using an expedited process, to the extent consistent with law and public safety and national security concerns.  The requisite gift amount shall be $1 million for an individual donating on his or her own behalf and $2 million for a corporation or similar entity donating on behalf of an individual.”

Understanding the card’s motivation explains both its appeal and the controversy.

The Gold Card scheme promises US residency in “record time” and will require a $1m fee, which is “evidence that the individual will substantially benefit the United States.”

Who the Trump Gold Card Is Actually For (Based on Verified Sources)

The Trump Gold Card is not a consumer product or collectible. It is an immigration program launched by the U.S. government that provides a fast-track pathway to lawful permanent residence (a green card) for certain high-capacity applicants who meet strict requirements. 

Who This Program Is Designed For:

1: High-Net-Worth Individuals Seeking U.S. Residency

The primary audience for the Trump Gold Card is foreign nationals with the financial means to make the required contribution (currently $1 million for individuals after vetting). This contribution, combined with qualifying under existing employment-based eligibility standards (EB-1 or EB-2 NIW), positions applicants for expedited processing toward U.S. permanent residency.

Examples include:

• Ultra-high-net-worth investors.
• Successful entrepreneurs planning to relocate to the U.S.
• Business leaders interested in establishing a stronger U.S. presence.
• This group benefits because the program intentionally targets individuals who can demonstrate substantial financial capacity and the potential to help the United States.

2: Employers Sponsoring Skilled Employees

The Trump Gold Card also offers a corporate sponsorship option. Companies willing to make a larger contribution (currently $2 million per sponsored employee) can nominate qualified employees for this expedited green card pathway. These employee beneficiaries must still meet admissibility and eligibility standards, but corporate funding unlocks access to this specialized route. 

This is targeted toward:

• Large multinational companies seeking to retain top global talent.
• Employers who want to fast-track green cards for key executives or researchers.

3: International Families Seeking U.S. Residency Together

Immediate family members (spouse and unmarried children under 21) can be included in the application process. Each member must be listed and may incur corresponding fees and contribution requirements, but successful inclusion allows families to obtain permanent residency together.

4: Individuals with Strong Professional Backgrounds

Because the Gold Card routes applications through EB-1 (extraordinary ability) or EB-2 (national interest) classifications, applicants with substantial professional achievements, advanced degrees, or demonstrable contributions to their fields are most likely to benefit when paired with the financial requirement.

How to Apply for the Trump Gold Card

Applying for the Trump Gold Card is a multi-stage federal process managed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Commerce. It is an expedited immigration pathway, not a commercial transaction.

• Register through the official Gold Card portal and pay the required fee: Applicants must first create an account at TrumpCard.gov and pay a non-refundable $15,000 processing and vetting fee per person. This initial step initiates the mandatory security screening.
• File USCIS Form I-140G: Once the initial registration is accepted, applicants file Form I-140G (Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program). This specific form is used to petition for residency under the EB-1 or EB-2 classifications.
  
• Submit supporting documentation and source-of-funds evidence: Applicants must provide 20 years of employment history and exhaustive financial records. This includes 5 years of bank statements and blockchain-traceable history for any cryptocurrency used to fund the contribution.
  
• Complete intensive background and security vetting: DHS conducts a rigorous “admissibility” check. This includes criminal history, national security screenings, and verification of all government or military positions the applicant has held at any point in their life.
  
• Make the required financial contribution after preliminary approval: Upon receiving notice of “adjudication success,” the applicant must remit the $1 million unrestricted gift ($2 million for corporate sponsors) via ACH or wire transfer to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
  
• Finish consular processing or adjustment of status. After the gift is verified, the applicant completes Form DS-260G and attends a mandatory in-person interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to receive their immigrant visa for entry as a lawful permanent resident.

Trump Gold Card Application Requirements

To qualify for this expedited pathway, applicants must meet the following statutory and financial criteria:

• Eligibility under EB-1 or EB-2 (NIW) standards: Under the Executive Order, the $1 million gift is treated as presumptive evidence of “extraordinary ability” or “national benefit,” though applicants must still choose one of these two legal categories.
  
• Payment of the $15,000 processing fee: This fee is required for the principal applicant and every accompanying family member (spouse and children under 21) to cover the cost of expedited vetting.
  
• Verified Lawful Source of Funds: Applicants must prove that their capital was acquired legally. This involves high-scrutiny audits of global assets, tax returns, and business holdings.
  
• $1 Million Financial Contribution: This is a non-refundable “gift” to the U.S. Treasury. For corporate-sponsored applicants, the required contribution is $2 million, which provides certain transferability benefits to the employer.
• Strict Admissibility Standards: The program does not waive standard grounds of inadmissibility; applicants must still pass all health, criminal, and security-related background checks.
  
• Dependent Inclusion: Spouses and children are not automatically covered; each dependent requires their own $15,000 fee and a separate $1 million contribution to receive a Gold Card.

Trump Gold Card vs Other Premium Programs

Many people compare the Trump Gold Card to unrelated products. Here is how it actually stacks up.

Common Myths About the Trump Gold Card

Myth 1: It’s like the Amex Black Card

Reality: The Trump Gold Card is not a financial or payment product. It has no spending power, rewards, or concierge services, and is tied to an immigration process rather than consumer banking.

Myth 2: It costs $5 million

Reality: There is no $5 million requirement. Verified information describes a structured program that includes a $1 million contribution for individuals, along with required government processing fees.

Myth 3: It grants access to Mar-a-Lago or Trump properties

Reality: The Trump Gold Card provides no access to Trump-owned clubs, resorts, or events. Those operate under separate private membership or commercial rules.

Myth 4: All Trump Gold Cards are scams

Reality: The official Trump Gold Card program is a government-linked immigration initiative, but online scams exist. Legitimate applications involve official government processes, not private sellers making guarantees.

Trump Gold Card Cost: What You Actually Pay

• Processing/registration fee: Approximately $15,000, non-refundable.
• Required financial contribution: $1 million for individual applicants.
• Corporate sponsorship option: Reported at $2 million per sponsored employee.

Is the Trump Gold Card Legit?

Short answer: Yes, it is legit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Trump Gold Card a credit card or a payment card?

No. It’s an immigration visa program that leads to U.S. permanent residency (green card), not a financial product. You cannot use it to make purchases or access credit—it’s purely for obtaining legal residency status.

How much does the Trump Gold Card actually cost?

Individual applicants pay $1,015,000 ($1M gift + $15K processing fee). Corporate sponsorship costs $2,015,000 per employee. Add $1M per family member. All payments are non-refundable, even if denied.

What qualifies an applicant for the Trump Gold Card Program?

Applicants must be eligible for lawful permanent resident status, admissible to the United States, and have a visa available to them.

Does paying $1 million guarantee I’ll get a green card?

No. You must still pass DHS background checks and meet admissibility requirements. Approval is not guaranteed, and all payments are non-refundable if denied—including the full $1 million gift.

How long does the Trump Gold Card application process take?

According to the U.S. government, once an applicant’s processing fee and application are received, the process should take weeks. The applicant will need to attend a visa interview and submit any additional documents promptly.

Conclusion

The Trump Gold Card is a legitimate U.S. government immigration program that offers foreign nationals a direct path to permanent residency in exchange for a substantial financial contribution—$1 million for individuals or $2 million for corporate-sponsored applicants.

This is not political merchandise. This is not a credit card. This is an actual visa program created by Executive Order 14351 and administered by the Departments of Commerce, Homeland Security, and State.

Here’s what you need to know:

The program launched on December 10, 2025. It costs $1-$2 million (non-refundable). It leads to a green card if approved—but approval is not guaranteed, even with payment. It faces potential legal challenges and uncertain long-term viability under future administrations.

Is it worth it?

For a small subset of wealthy individuals from non-backlogged countries who need expedited U.S. residency and can afford to lose $1+ million if denied, the Gold Card offers a unique pathway. For most people—especially those from India or China facing multi-year visa backlogs, or those who qualify for traditional employment-based visas—better alternatives exist.