What’s Happening
As part of a flurry of executive actions taken late in the day on Friday, September 19, 2025, the Trump administration issued an Executive Proclamation announcing a new immigration initiative known as the “Gold Card” program, which offers permanent residency in the United States to foreign nationals who make qualifying financial contributions. The program is being administered through a new government portal at TrumpCard.gov.
In addition, the Administration separately unveiled a new “Platinum Card” program which was not included in the Executive Proclamation but included as an option on TrumpCard.gov.
These wealth-based programs require that applicants pay gifts to the U.S. government in the following amounts as one of the main eligibility criteria:
Individual Gold Card ($1 million gift for expedited processing of permanent residence application)
Corporate Gold Card ($2 million gift for expedited processing of permanent residence application)
Platinum Card ($5 million gift for ability to spend up to 270 days in the U.S. annually without being subject to U.S. taxes on non-U.S. income)
The Gold Card is said to be in the “implementation phase” and the administration acknowledges that the Platinum Card will require legislative action before it can be implemented. As of now, the website is currently offering individuals the ability to sign up to be on a waitlist for the Gold and Platinum Cards, which it indicated will be given out on a first-come, first served basis.
What We Currently Know
There is currently no way to apply for a Gold Card but individuals are able to sign up via the TrumpCard.gov website to be notified when the application process becomes available. Similarly, individuals interested in applying for the Platinum Card can join the waitlist on the same website.
Below is an overview of what is currently known about the eligibility criteria for the different type of cards:
1. Individual Gold Card
Investment Required: $1,000,000
Eligibility: Individual foreign nationals who make requisite $1,000,000 and complete required vetting process
Benefit: expedited processing of U.S. permanent residency
2. Corporate Gold Card
Investment: Required: $2,000,000
Eligibility: Allows businesses to sponsor an employee for permanent residence based on a $2,000,000 and the employee completing a required vetting process
Benefit: expedited processing of U.S. permanent residency for an employee that can be transferred to other employees
3. Platinum Card
Investment Required: $5,000,000
Eligibility: Individuals passing DHS vetting
Benefit: Permission to spend up to 270 days per year in the U.S. without being subject to U.S. taxation on foreign income
Important Notes and Open Questions
At this time, there are still many unknowns regarding these various cards both with respect to eligibility, practical implementation, and the overall legality of implementing the Gold Card program without legislative or regulatory action.
1. Individual Gold Card
Application process, including vetting requirements remain unknown at this time
Amount of filing and processing fees remain unknown at this time
Whether dependent family members are included in the $1,000,000 investment
2. Corporate Gold Card
Application process, including vetting requirements remain unknown at this time
Amount of filing and processing fees remain unknown at this time
Whether dependent family members are included in the $2,000,000 investment
Note: The currently available information notes that employers who purchase corporate gold cards can transfer access from one employee to another and notes that should the transfer occur the prior employee will be required to abandon their permanent resident status before it can be transferred to the new employee
3. Platinum Card
Application process, including vetting requirements remain unknown at this time
Amount of filing and processing fees remain unknown at this time
It is currently unclear what type of status will be conferred (does not appear to be permanent resident status) and whether this status confers U.S. work authorization
In addition, the Proclamation indicated Gold Card recipients will be accorded green cards under the EB-1 and EB-2 preference categories and it is anticipated that the existing per country limits and associated immigrant visa backlogs will apply to Gold Card recipients. However, it remains to be seen what sort of “expedited processing” will be available to these applicants.
What to Expect Next?
Possible Legal Challenges Once Effective: The Proclamation gives the Secretary of Commerce 90 days to roll out the Gold Card program and it’s possible that legal challenges could ensue once the program is in effect.
Potential Expansion to EB-5: The Proclamation also directs the three implementing agencies to explore the possibility of extending the Gold Card program to include the EB-5 investor visa category. However, the eligibility criteria for EB-5 differ from those of the Gold Card program. Specifically, EB-5 requires a direct investment in a U.S. business, while the Gold Card involves a qualifying payment to the U.S. government. Given these differences, it is unclear how a Gold Card applicant could meet the current requirements for EB-5 classification.
D&S is continuing to monitor the roll out of the Gold Card and will provide updates as they become available.