Fast-track residency in US: Trump Gold and Platinum cards explained
Eligibility, fees, and corporate sponsorship explained for applicants
DUBAI – President Donald Trump has introduced a new fast-track visa programme called the Trump Gold Card, allowing wealthy foreigners to gain lawful permanent residency in the United States.
The initiative, signed into effect yesterday, offers non-Americans the chance to obtain a US green card by making a substantial contribution to the federal government. Individuals can qualify with a gift of $1 million, while corporations sponsoring employees must contribute $2 million per employee.
President Trump signs an Executive Order to open new pathways for extraordinary people who are committed to supporting the United States to come and contribute to America through expedited immigration. ????????
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 19, 2025
THE TRUMP GOLD CARD! ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Ot4D7lTtyx
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, overseeing the rollout, explained that the programme will replace existing EB-1 and EB-2 visa categories, traditionally available to people with “exceptional ability” in business, science, or the arts. In total, 80,000 Gold Cards are expected to be issued initially, with eligibility and vetting managed by the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security.
Trump Gold Card
Applicants must also pay a $15,000 vetting fee, and once approved, they are treated as lawful permanent residents, equivalent to green-card holders. The Gold Card is designed for individuals who can demonstrate significant benefit to the United States, whether through business acumen, investment potential, or other high-value contributions.
Corporate sponsorship
Companies can participate through the Trump Corporate Gold Card, which allows corporations to sponsor one or multiple employees. Sponsors pay a non-refundable processing fee per employee, and a $2 million contribution serves as proof of the employee’s exceptional value to the country. Notably, corporations may transfer sponsorship to another employee without making an additional $2 million contribution, although small annual maintenance and transfer fees apply.
The programme is expected to raise approximately $100 billion, funds that could support U.S. commerce and industry. According to the administration, the Gold Card aligns with a broader agenda to admit individuals who contribute positively to the economy while tightening pathways for other forms of immigration.
Trump Platinum Card
Alongside the Gold Card, the Trump administration has proposed a $5 million “Platinum Card,” although this programme has not yet launched and requires congressional approval. The Platinum Card is intended for individuals who wish to reside in the United States for up to 270 days per year without paying tax on non-US income. The federal government has opened an online waiting list for interested applicants, with processing expected on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Platinum Card does not provide a direct path to citizenship, unlike the Gold Card. Applicants are advised to join the waitlist early to secure priority once the programme is officially approved.
Application process
The Trump Gold Card application process begins online, with a non-refundable processing fee. Applicants must submit documentation for vetting, which includes background checks conducted by US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Once approved, the $1 million individual contribution (or $2 million for corporate-sponsored employees) is made to the Commerce Department, establishing eligibility for expedited residency.
Applicants are treated as permanent residents for taxation purposes, and Gold Card status can be revoked under national security or other risks, consistent with US immigration law. For corporations, the Gold Card allows flexibility in sponsoring new employees without repeated large contributions, making it a strategic tool for international businesses.
New H-1B visa fee
Trump’s latest executive orders also target the H-1B visa programme, introducing a new $100,000 fee for applicants. This change aims to prioritise higher-value immigration while reducing reliance on traditional skilled worker visas.