Photo Credit: Shutterstock
On September 15, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating a new “U.S. Gold Card” program. The policy allows wealthy foreign nationals to obtain permanent residency by making a $1 million “gift” to the U.S. government, or $2 million if sponsored by a corporation.
You’ll need a lot of Green to Obtain a Green Card This Way
Applicants must also pay a $15,000 vetting fee and pass Department of Homeland Security background checks. According to the official website, TrumpCard.gov, successful applicants will be placed into existing EB-1 and EB-2 visa categories, giving them a fast-track to green card status. For $5 million, you will have the ability to spend up to 270 days in the United States without being subject to U.S. taxes on non-U.S. income.
Approved Gold Card applicants will receive lawful permanent resident status (green cards) through the EB-1 or EB-2 visa categories. EB Visas, informally known as ‘Einstein Visas’, have been reserved for individuals with “extraordinary ability” or advanced professional degrees.
Why is this significant?
This marks a major shift in U.S. immigration policy: a direct wealth-based pathway to permanent residency. While the U.S. has long had the EB-5 investor program (requiring both investment and job creation), the Gold Card is simpler, just pay the buy-in. It also coincides with a sharp hike in H-1B visa fees, now $100,000 per application, signalling a broader Trump strategy: limiting traditional work visas while opening doors for those with deep pockets.
Critics argue this creates a two-tier immigration system with drawbacks:
- Fast lanes for the ultra-
- Backlogs and restrictions for everyone
How does this compare to the Green Card?
- Green Card: Based on employment, family ties, asylum, or the EB-5 investor program. Often years of waiting due to quotas.
- Gold Card: Wealth alone can qualify No job creation required. Marketed as “record time” approval, though still “subject to visa availability.” The program also has a corporate option where companies can pay $2 million per sponsored employee, plus annual maintenance fees.
What about the Platinum Card?
The order also teases a “Platinum Card” for individuals who contribute $5 million. This tier would allow holders to spend up to 270 days in the U.S. annually without being taxed on foreign income a controversial benefit that will almost certainly face legal challenges.
The legal questions
- Authority: Immigration law and visa quotas are set by Critics say an executive order cannot fundamentally rewrite them.
- Nationwide impact: The order attempts to allocate permanent residency through wealth alone something courts may find exceeds executive power.
- Tax treatment: The Platinum Card’s foreign income exemption could clash with long-standing tax law.
Expect lawsuits challenging whether the President can bypass statutory limits this way.
The White House response
Administration officials describe the Gold Card as a bold innovation: “America should welcome the world’s best and those willing to invest in our success. The Gold Card is about strength, security, and prosperity.” They also insist that vetting will remain strict and that “gifts” will fund U.S. commerce and industry initiatives.
What this means going forward
- For wealthy applicants, this could become the fastest route to S. residency.
- For everyone else, it reinforces the perception of a pay-to-enter system.
- In Congress and the courts, it sets up the next major fight over executive power in immigration policy.
Here’s the takeaway
Trump’s Gold Card program puts a price tag on the American dream: $1 million. It may reshape immigration policy for the wealthy if it survives the legal and political challenges that almost certainly lie ahead.
Photo Credit: Helt Law Group LLC
Chrisopher Helt is an Immigraion attorney and managing member of The Helt Law Group, LLC. Helt has been championed for “leveraging a depth of knowledge in immigration law,” and employs comprehensive immigration strategies in the major practice areas of Aslyum, Immigration Appeals, Federal Litigation, Deportation defense and more. Visit http://www.heltlawgroup.com/ for more information.
To Contact Chrisopher Helt you may email Christopher@heltlawgroup.com or call: 312- 266 – 0531.
