Visa Lawyer Blog
The Trump Gold Card Program — established by Executive Order 14351 and to be launched December 18, 2025— represents one of the most significant changes to U.S. immigration policy in decades.
Designed to create a pathway to U.S. permanent residency for wealthy foreign nationals willing to make substantial financial gifts to the United States, this program has generated both excitement and controversy.
What the Gold Card Is
The Gold Card is a new immigration program authorized by Executive Order 14351, signed on September 19, 2025, directing the government to implement a pathway to U.S. residency based on significant financial contributions.
Those contributions are treated as evidence of exceptional business ability and national benefit under existing employment-based visa categories (EB-1 and EB-2).
Under the program:
- Individuals must contribute a $1 million unrestricted gift to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
- A $2 million gift is required if a corporation or employer sponsors a foreign national.
- These contributions are not investments and do not accrue returns — they are treated as unconditional gifts.
The executive order instructs agencies to establish application processes, expedited adjudication, and fee structures, while maintaining normal visa quotas.