Trump Gold Card

Trump Gold Card and Form I-140G: What Applicants Should Know in 2026

The Trump Gold Card program offers a new route for certain foreign nationals and corporate-sponsored employees to seek U.S. lawful permanent residence. The program requires a substantial, unrestricted financial gift to the United States, a separate nonrefundable processing fee, extensive background screening, and an immigrant petition known as Form I-140G.

The program was established through Executive Order 14351 on September 19, 2025. It is now accepting applications through the federal Gold Card portal. However, the payment does not by itself guarantee approval, and Form I-140G approval is not the same as receiving a green card. Applicants must still complete the remaining immigration process and satisfy the requirements that apply to permanent residence.

Trump Gold Card

What Is Form I-140G?

Form I-140G, Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program, is the immigration petition used for the Gold Card process. The form may be filed by an individual on his or her own behalf or by a corporation or similar entity sponsoring an employee.

The Gold Card program works through existing employment-based classifications. Depending on the government's determination and visa availability, an approved applicant receives classification through either the EB-1 category for extraordinary ability or the EB-2 category for exceptional ability with a national interest waiver. The program does not create an unlimited pool of immigrant visas outside the normal employment-based system.

This distinction matters. Applicants must be eligible for lawful permanent residence, must be admissible to the United States, and must have an immigrant visa available. Criminal history, prior immigration violations, fraud or misrepresentation issues, security concerns, and country-based visa backlogs can affect the case even when the applicant has the financial ability to make the required gift.

How Much Does the Trump Gold Card Cost?

There are two major government payments: the DHS processing fee and the required gift. Additional Department of State visa fees, medical examination expenses, document costs, translations, and professional fees may also apply.

$15,000 Nonrefundable Processing Fee

Each applicant must pay a $15,000 DHS processing fee. The official Gold Card website describes this fee as nonrefundable. A spouse and each unmarried child under 21 seeking Gold Card benefits are subject to their own $15,000 processing fee.

$1 Million or $2 Million Gift

• Individual applicant: a $1 million gift after successful vetting.

• Corporate-sponsored principal employee: a $2 million gift from the corporate sponsor after successful vetting.

• Accompanying spouse or unmarried child under 21: an additional $1 million gift for each family member, whether the principal case is individual or corporate-sponsored.

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The government describes these payments as gifts or contributions, not investments. The funds are not used to purchase ownership in a business, and the published program does not promise repayment, profit, or return of principal.

The official portal also states that a Corporate Gold Card is subject to a 1% annual maintenance fee and a 5% transfer fee when the sponsor uses the gift associated with one employee as the basis for sponsoring a replacement employee. The transfer fee includes a new DHS background check.

Illustrative Government Cost Examples

Application	DHS fees	Required gift(s)	Illustrative total
Individual: principal only	$15,000	$1,000,000	$1,015,000
Individual: principal + spouse	$30,000	$2,000,000	$2,030,000
Individual: principal + spouse + 2 children	$60,000	$4,000,000	$4,060,000
Corporate: principal only	$15,000	$2,000,000	$2,015,000
Corporate: principal + spouse + 2 children	$60,000	$5,000,000	$5,060,000

These examples include only the published DHS processing fees and required gifts. They do not include State Department fees, medical examinations, translations, tax advice, or legal fees.

Important 2026 Update: USCIS Is Revising Form I-140G

USCIS submitted a proposed revision of the I-140G information collection to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on May 29, 2026. As of August 6, 2026, the official review record lists the revision as received and still under review.

The revision recognizes separate information collections for self-petitioners and corporate petitioners and is intended to streamline the form for guided electronic filing. Because the review is pending, applicants should confirm the current online questions, instructions, fees, and document requirements immediately before filing. Do not rely on an older downloaded form or an unofficial checklist.

Gold Card Compared With EB-5

The Gold Card should not be confused with the EB-5 immigrant investor program. The Gold Card requires an unrestricted gift and routes the applicant through EB-1 or EB-2. The published Gold Card materials do not describe an ownership interest, repayment, or a job-creation requirement tied to the gift.

EB-5, by contrast, is an investment-based immigrant classification. It generally requires qualifying capital to be placed at risk in a U.S. commercial enterprise and requires the creation or preservation of qualifying U.S. jobs. The proper choice depends on far more than the dollar amount, including the applicant's goals, source of funds, desired business involvement, visa availability, tax planning, and family circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a $1 Million Gift Guarantee a Green Card?

No. The gift is a central part of the Gold Card framework, but the applicant must still pass vetting, qualify for lawful permanent residence, be admissible, and have an immigrant visa available. Government approval is not guaranteed.

Is the $1 Million Payment an Investment?

No. The government describes it as an unrestricted gift or contribution to the United States. Applicants should not expect ownership, interest, profits, or repayment.

Can a Spouse and Children Receive Gold Cards?

Yes. The official program permits a spouse and unmarried children under 21 to be included in the initial application. Each family member is subject to a separate $15,000 DHS processing fee and an additional $1 million gift.

How Long Does the Gold Card Process Take?

The official Gold Card website states that the process should take weeks after the application and processing fee are received, assuming the applicant responds promptly. That statement is not a legal guarantee. Background checks, requests for evidence, interviews, source-of-funds review, and visa availability may extend the timeline.

Can Form I-140G Be Filed Directly With USCIS?

The published process begins at trumpcard.gov. After the initial application and payment are accepted, USCIS sends instructions for completing Form I-140G through a myUSCIS account. Applicants should follow that sequence and should not mail a paper Form I-140G.

Can Someone Already in the United States Apply?

Possibly, but the filing strategy is case-specific. A person in the United States should not assume that an I-140G filing cures an overstay, unauthorized employment, unlawful entry, or another status problem. The applicant's current status, manner of entry, admissibility, visa availability, and the agency's current procedures should be reviewed before payment.

Is the Trump Platinum Card Available?

No. As of August 6, 2026, the official website describes the Platinum Card as coming soon. It is not the same as the currently operating Gold Card program.

Discuss an I-140G Gold Card Strategy

The financial requirement is only one part of the Gold Card analysis. Applicants and corporate sponsors should evaluate immigration history, admissibility, visa availability, family costs, lawful source of funds, supporting documentation, and international tax consequences before paying a nonrefundable processing fee.