Trump Gold Card visa launches: $1M fast-track immigration program with tax benefits
President Trump officially launched the Trump Gold Card visa program on December 11, 2025, through the government website.
This new investor visa pathway offers expedited US residency for high-net-worth individuals willing to make substantial financial contributions, with prices ranging from $1 million to $5 million depending on the tier selected.
What is the Trump Gold Card visa?
The Trump Gold Card is not a separate visa category but rather an expedited pathway to existing employment-based green cards.
Unlike traditional immigration routes that can take years, the gold card visa program promises processing times measured in weeks rather than the nearly 6 years typical for EB-5 visas.
The program requires direct payment to the US government and does not mandate job creation or business investment, distinguishing it from the EB-5 investor visa program.
Applicants must still meet qualification standards for EB-1A (extraordinary ability) or EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) visa categories.
Trump Gold Card pricing and program tiers
The program offers three distinct options:
- Trump Gold Card (Individual) – $1,000,000 + $15,000 registration fee: Fast-tracked pathway to permanent residency valid in all 50 states
- Trump Corporate Gold Card – $2,000,000: Allows businesses to sponsor foreign workers, transferable between employees for 5% fee plus 1% annual maintenance
- Trump Platinum Card (listed as “Coming Soon” / not yet released) – $5,000,000: Stay up to 270 days per year in the US without paying federal income tax on foreign-earned income
The Platinum Card's tax benefit creates an unprecedented two-tier tax system unavailable to regular green card holders or US citizens.
Trump Gold Card visa requirements
Applicants for the gold card visa must satisfy several strict criteria:
- Must qualify under EB-1A (extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics) or EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) standards
- Provide detailed source-of-funds documentation proving the legal origin of investment capital
- Pass comprehensive USCIS security screening and background checks
- Demonstrate substantial financial capacity beyond the investment amount
- Meet standard US immigration admissibility requirements
The Treasury Department will publish an official list of qualifying occupations and industries within 90 days of enactment. This is not a simple pay-to-play scheme – genuine EB-1A or EB-2 NIW qualification is mandatory.
How to apply for the Trump Gold Card visa
Step 1: Apply through trumpcard.gov and pay the $15,000 nonrefundable DHS processing fee.
Step 2: Follow USCIS instructions to create a my.uscis.gov account and submit comprehensive documentation, including proof of extraordinary ability or national interest waiver eligibility, source-of-funds reports, professional credentials, and financial statements.
Step 3: Complete the required Department of State visa steps (including fees/medical exam) and attend the visa interview.
Step 4: USCIS conducts an expedited review with a detailed background investigation, financial verification, and security clearances.
Step 5: Upon preliminary approval, transfer the full investment amount ($1M, $2M, or $5M) and receive your Trump Gold Card to begin expedited green card processing.
Processing time: Weeks instead of years.
Trump Gold Card vs EB-5 visa comparison
| Feature | Trump Gold Card | EB-5 Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Investment amount | $1M – $5M | $800,000 – $1,800,000 |
| Processing time | Weeks | ~6 years |
| Job creation | Not required | Must create 10 jobs |
| Investment type | Direct payment to the government | Business investment |
| Risk | Non-refundable | At-risk capital |
| Tax benefits | Yes (Platinum Card) | No |
| Transferability | Yes (Corporate) | No |
The Trump Gold Card eliminates the job creation requirement and business investment risks inherent in EB-5, but at a higher price point, with funds going directly to the federal treasury.
EB-5 investments are potentially recoverable business capital, while Gold Card payments are non-refundable government fees.
Trump Gold Card citizenship pathway
The gold card visa provides a pathway to US citizenship, but does not grant immediate citizenship or bypass standard naturalization timelines.
Upon approval, holders receive Lawful Permanent Resident (green card) status and become eligible to apply for citizenship through naturalization after 5 years or 3 years if married to and living in a marital union with a US citizen (plus other requirements).
The program accelerates the initial green card phase dramatically but follows normal permanent residency rules thereafter.
Tax implications for Platinum Card holders
The Trump Platinum Card introduces unprecedented tax treatment that significantly impacts high-net-worth applicants.
Typically, US permanent residents face worldwide income taxation on all earnings – foreign business income, investment income, and real estate income – plus FBAR and FATCA reporting requirements.
Platinum Card holders can stay up to 270 days annually in the US while remaining exempt from federal income tax on foreign-earned income. This creates a two-tier tax system where Platinum Card holders enjoy benefits unavailable to US citizens and standard green card holders.
Critical unresolved questions:
- How does this interact with the substantial presence test rules?
- What happens with tax treaty benefits from home countries?
- Are FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) and FATCA reporting still required?
- Does this conflict with the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE)?
- Can Platinum Card holders use the Foreign Tax Credit if they pay taxes abroad?
Impact on US expatriates and dual citizens
For Americans living abroad considering the Trump Gold Card for family members or business partners, several tax complexities emerge.
If you're a US expat with a non-American spouse, the Platinum Card could allow your spouse to spend extended time in the US without triggering worldwide income taxation.
However, if filing jointly, worldwide income rules still apply to the US citizen spouse, and transferring funds for the $5M investment may trigger gift tax issues.
US expats with foreign business partners should note that Controlled Foreign Corporation rules still apply, PFIC reporting requirements remain unchanged, and arm's length transaction requirements continue.
Current US citizens should understand that the Trump Gold Card doesn't eliminate worldwide taxation for existing citizens; covered expatriate exit tax rules still apply when renouncing, and former citizens cannot use the Gold Card to avoid past tax obligations.
Trump Gold Card for H-1B and O-1 visa holders
Current H-1B workers and O-1 visa holders (scientists, doctors, researchers) may find the Trump Gold Card attractive for permanent residency.
The program offers freedom from employer dependency, immediate job portability, work authorization for spouses without EAD restrictions, and dramatically faster timelines compared to traditional employment-based green cards.
However, simply holding an H-1B or O-1 visa doesn't automatically qualify you for Trump Gold Card approval. Applicants must still prove extraordinary ability meeting the higher EB-1A standard or demonstrate national interest waiver eligibility under EB-2 NIW. The EB-1A bar is significantly higher than the O-1 visa requirements.
Program availability and criticism
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced 80,000 Trump Cards will be available initially, with over 10,000 people already registered during the pre-launch phase.
Economic Innovation Group estimates the program could generate $100 billion over a decade, assuming 10,000 cards are issued annually. At current registration rates, the program may fill quickly with early applicants, likely receiving priority processing.
The Gold Card Visa program has faced significant scrutiny from immigration experts and tax professionals. Critics question whether executive action alone can create tax exemptions without congressional authority, whether the two-tier tax system violates constitutional equal protection principles, and argue that this benefits wealthy foreigners at taxpayer expense.
Practical concerns include a lack of IRS guidance on Platinum Card tax treatment, unclear state tax implications, and needed modifications to W-2, 1099, and other reporting forms.
What you should do now
If you're considering applying:
- Consult an immigration attorney to verify you meet EB-1A or EB-2 NIW standards before paying the $15,000 registration fee
- Speak with an experienced CPA in US expatriate taxation about long-term implications
- Begin assembling documentation proving the legal origin of investment capital
- Monitor Treasury Department announcements for official occupation lists
If you're a US expat:
- Evaluate whether the Gold Card makes sense for non-citizen family members
- Review how partner or employee Gold Cards affect your tax obligations
- Ensure you understand how Gold Card holders in your family affect FBAR, FATCA, and other reporting requirements
What's still uncertain: Congressional approval for tax provisions, potential legal challenges to the program, possible policy changes from future administrations, and comprehensive IRS guidance.
Looking ahead
The Trump Gold Card website will be the official source for application updates and program changes.
Key developments to monitor include the Treasury occupation list expected within 90 days, IRS Revenue Procedures providing detailed tax treatment guidance, USCIS Policy Manual updates, new W-2 and 1099 reporting requirements, and state responses regarding the federal tax exemption.
The Trump Gold Card visa program represents a significant shift in US immigration policy, offering unprecedented speed and tax benefits for wealthy applicants. However, substantial legal, tax, and implementation questions remain unresolved.
For US expatriates and potential applicants, thorough professional guidance is essential before committing to this expensive program.
Human help, not bots – tax pros you can rely on.
