US Gold Card: Process, Costs, and Eligibility for I-140G

The United States government opened in 2025 a new pathway for permanent immigration aimed at high-net-worth professionals with exceptional qualifications. Created by Executive Order 14351, signed by President Donald Trump on September 19, 2025, the Gold Card Program combines professional merit with financial capacity in an unprecedented model within the American immigration system. The program uses the Form I-140G, an exclusively digital form managed by USCIS, and requires a minimum contribution of US$ 1 million to the federal government as a condition for permanent residency.

Unlike the EB-5 program, where capital is invested in economic projects with an expectation of return, the Gold Card contribution is officially classified as a “gift”: an irrevocable and non-refundable donation to the United States Department of Commerce. This fundamental distinction redefines the relationship between capital and immigration, as there is no project to monitor, no financial return, and no job creation requirement.

For professionals who meet the criteria for extraordinary or exceptional ability, understanding the operational details of this program is essential for making an informed decision about immigration planning.

How the process works

The Gold Card Program operates in sequential stages, each with specific requirements that must be met before moving on to the next phase. The process begins with a preliminary registration on the official portal trumpcard.gov, where the applicant provides basic information for initial screening. Only after receiving confirmation of acceptance in this registration is it possible to proceed.

With confirmation, the applicant creates or accesses their account in the MyUSCIS system, which becomes the management center for the entire process. It is through this platform that Form I-140G is submitted exclusively in digital format, with no option for mail submission. The form requires extensive information, including a complete employment history for the past 20 years, detailed academic background, information on citizenship and nationality, as well as comprehensive documentation on the source of funds.

After submission, the messaging system on the MyUSCIS platform allows direct communication with USCIS for clarification of questions related to the petition.

Costs and financial structure

The cost structure of the Gold Card Program is divided into two distinct phases, both non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the petition.

The filing fee for Form I-140G is US$ 15,000 per person. This fee applies to the principal beneficiary and each dependent included in the petition, such as spouse and children under 21. A couple without children would therefore pay US$ 30,000 in filing fees alone.

After petition approval, the program requires a contribution to the U.S. government, which varies according to the type of petition:

• Individual petition (self-petition): US$ 1 million per person, including the principal beneficiary and each dependent
• Corporate petition: US$ 2 million for the principal beneficiary, plus US$ 1 million for each dependent included

For a professional married with two minor children, the total minimum cost in an individual petition would be US$ 4 million in contributions plus US$ 60,000 in filing fees. It is a program unequivocally aimed at high-net-worth individuals.

Eligibility pathways

The Gold Card Program offers two immigration categories for eligibility, both based on proven professional merit.

The EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) pathway is intended for professionals with nationally or internationally recognized extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. The applicant must demonstrate documented achievements through awards, publications, significant original contributions, or other criteria defined by USCIS. This category has historically not required a job offer in the U.S.

The EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) pathway is for professionals with exceptional ability seeking a waiver of the job offer requirement in the national interest. Applicants in this category must demonstrate that their presence in the U.S. would substantially benefit the country. Unlike the EB-1A pathway, the EB-2 NIW petition within the Gold Card requires the additional submission of Form ETA-9089 without labor certification, along with supporting evidence.

The choice between the two pathways should consider the Visa Bulletin from the Department of State, as the waiting time for Green Card availability can vary significantly between EB-1A and EB-2 NIW, depending on the applicant’s country of birth and the accumulated demand in each category.

Financial documentation

One of the most rigorous aspects of the Gold Card Program is proving the lawful source of funds. The standard of financial due diligence is comparable to that of the EB-5 program, requiring complete traceability of funds from their origin to the Department of Commerce account.

USCIS requires documentation that may include:

• Personal income tax returns for the past seven years (applicant and spouse)
• Bank records showing accumulation and movement of funds for the past five years
• Income certificates issued by employers
• Documentation of securities sales
• For cryptocurrency funds: blockchain tracking with wallet identification and regulated exchanges
• For real estate sales: appraisal reports, contracts, proof of taxes paid
• For business funds: financial statements and corporate tax returns for the past seven years

The contribution payment can be made by credit card (via Pay.gov/Treasury system) or bank transfer, with complete tracking of each intermediary bank, including SWIFT/BIC or IBAN codes, account numbers, and transfer dates.

Gold Card versus EB-5

Although both programs involve significant capital, the differences are fundamental. In EB-5, the minimum investment is US$ 800,000 (in TEAs) or US$ 1,050,000 (in regular areas), applied to economic projects that must create at least 10 direct or indirect jobs. The capital is invested with an expectation of return, although there is risk.

In the Gold Card, the amount is a non-refundable donation. There is no economic project, no job creation, and no possibility of recovering the capital. In contrast, the program promises expedited processing and does not require active management of an investment over several years.

For those who prioritize speed and procedural simplicity over financial return, the Gold Card represents a direct alternative. For those seeking to preserve capital while obtaining permanent residency, EB-5 remains the more financially conservative option.

Risks and considerations

The Gold Card Program is new and does not yet have a track record of adjudications to assess approval rates or USCIS review standards. The program also faces legal challenges: lawsuits question the program’s transparency and the executive authority to create an immigration pathway based on financial donations to the government.

The contribution is non-refundable even if the petition is denied, which means an applicant may spend millions with no guarantee of outcome. The complexity of financial documentation, especially for assets with diversified origins or multiple jurisdictions, can result in months of preparation even before the initial registration.

Professionals considering this pathway should carefully assess their eligibility for EB-1A or EB-2 NIW, the strength of their professional profile, the complete traceability of their funds, and their willingness to accept the risk of an irrevocable donation in an unprecedented program.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.