Trump Gold Card Launches: Million-Dollar Investment Now Buys Fast-Tracked Green Card For Eligible Families

A Groundbreaking Option for Wealthy Immigrant Investors

A new federal immigration program known as the Trump Gold Card quietly went live at trumpcard.gov, offering expedited green cards for high-net-worth individuals and their families who can meet a multi-step legal and financial threshold. With a base investment requirement of $1 million and $15,000 in non-refundable filing fees per person, the Trump Gold Card seeks to streamline U.S. immigration access for applicants who can prove both financial legitimacy and legal admissibility.

For many, this may sound similar to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, but this initiative distinguishes itself by prioritizing speed, simplified eligibility under EB-1 or EB-2, and a unique filing process that starts online.

Let’s break down what you need to know, and how immigration attorneys at Spar & Bernstein can help navigate this high-stakes legal process.

Step-by-Step: How the Trump Gold Card Process Works

1. Start at trumpcard.gov

All applicants begin the process online. The site allows individuals or corporations to register, submit preliminary biographic data, and pay the initial non-refundable filing fee:

• $15,000 for the primary applicant

• $15,000 for each dependent (spouse or child)

Example: A family of four (applicant, spouse, two children) pays $60,000 upfront before filing the formal petition or investing the $1 million.

2. File Form I-140G

After receiving a receipt from the online portal, applicants must file the newly created Form I-140G. This form serves as a hybrid between a green card petition and an investor vetting process. Critical components include:

• Source of Funds Documentation
  Applicants must meticulously trace the origin of their $1 million investment, similar to E-2 visa standards. This may include:

  • Business profits

  • Asset sales

  • Gift documentation

  • Bank transfers and wire receipts

  • Other legal income sources

• Admissibility Screening
  The I-140G also screens for criminal records, immigration violations, and any prior removals. Any applicant with a history of fraud, smuggling, drug trafficking, or terrorism will be denied.

3. Biometrics & Background Checks

Following the I-140G submission, the applicant and all family members must attend a biometric appointment where the government collects:

• Fingerprints

• Facial recognition data

• Retinal scans

Adjudication timelines have not been defined, but applicants should prepare for extensive security screening. No green card will be issued until the applicant clears these checks.

EB-1 vs EB-2: Strategic Choices Matter

The Trump Gold Card requires investors to select either EB-1 or EB-2 classification on the I-140G form. At present, EB-1 is strongly recommended due to visa availability and shorter processing queues.

Notably, backlogs for Indian and Chinese nationals still apply, which means extended wait times may affect applicants from these countries, even under the expedited program.

Corporate Gold Card: A $2 Million Transferable Option

An alternative option for large companies is the Corporate Gold Card, which allows:

• A $2 million filing fee

• The ability to transfer green card benefits between employees

• Residency rights for the employee and their immediate family for four years

While this option introduces flexibility for corporations, it also creates legal uncertainty about the transferability of green cards and compliance issues. Most investors still favor the direct $1 million option due to its permanence and clarity.

Admissibility Rules Still Apply

Importantly, the Trump Gold Card does not bypass core immigration laws. Applicants must still meet the same standards as other green card seekers, including:

• No unlawful presence or prior removals without waivers

• No disqualifying criminal record

• No current undocumented presence in the U.S.

In some cases, strategic legal tools such as the I-601 waiver, 601A waiver, or I-212 permission to reapply may be used to overcome inadmissibility—but these are not guaranteed and require attorney guidance.

How Spar & Bernstein Can Help

While the Trump Gold Card may open the door to U.S. permanent residency for global investors, the legal complexity of the process remains significant. From documenting the legal origin of your $1 million investment, to navigating admissibility, selecting the right visa category, and ensuring your family members qualify, every step requires precision and compliance.

The team at Spar & Bernstein has decades of experience in investor immigration, inadmissibility waivers, and consular processing strategy. We’re uniquely positioned to support you from start to finish—ensuring your investment leads to a successful, lawful immigration outcome.

If you’re ready to explore eligibility or begin preparing your I-140G filing, schedule a consultation with a Spar & Bernstein attorney today. We help turn complex immigration goals into successful immigration stories.