The Trump administration is preparing to launch a new “Gold Card” visa program.
This visa will give permanent residence in the United States to wealthy individuals who are willing to make a significant financial contribution to the country.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has submitted a draft application form (Form I-140G) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the program may launch as early as December 18th.
What Is the Gold Card Visa?
The Gold Card visa is designed for individuals who can provide “substantial benefits” to the United States.
It will replace the existing EB-5 investor visa, which has faced criticism for being slow and prone to fraud.
Key details of the program:
Non-refundable application fee: $15,000
Individual donation: $1 million (₹8.3 crore)
Corporate-sponsored donation: $2 million (₹16 crore)
Visa may be revoked for national security or other risks
The Gold Card allows applicants to become legal permanent residents under the EB-1 or EB-2 categories after strict approval.
Platinum Card Option
A Platinum Card option will also be available.
It requires a $5 million contribution and allows the individual to stay in the U.S. for up to 270 days per year without paying U.S. taxes on foreign income.
Specific details of this tier are still being finalized.
How to Apply
The application process will be strict, focusing on the legal source of funds.
The steps include:
Submit Application – Apply for the Gold Card via the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Pay Fee – $15,000 through pay.gov.
File Form I-140G – Provide proof that the funds are legal.
Background Check – Criminal history, money laundering, national security risks, tax records, bank statements, and crypto holdings will be verified.
Final Approval – If approved, visit a U.S. consulate abroad to obtain permanent residence.
Why Replace the EB-5 Visa?
The EB-5 investor visa required investing in a U.S. business and creating 10 jobs.
However, it was criticized for fraud and slow processing.
According to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the program was “full of nonsense, fabrication, and fraud.”
He said, “Instead of this ridiculous EB-5 program, we’re going to replace it with the Trump Gold Card, which is essentially a gold green card.”
