Original Date Announced

On September 19, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14351 establishing a "Gold Card" visa program, originally announced in February 2025, to "facilitate the entry of [noncitizens] who have demonstrated their ability and desire to advance the interests of the United States by voluntarily providing a significant financial gift to the Nation." The program makes eligible for an expedited immigrant visa noncitizens who donate $1 million individually or $2 million if they are being sponsored by a corporation or other entity. It does so by treating such donations as evidence of "exceptional business ability and national benefit" and eligibility for a national-interest wavier for EB-1 and EB-2 visas, respectively.

The order directs the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Homeland Security to implement the program, including by establishing and facilitating the visa application process. It also instructs the relevant Secretaries to consider expanding the program to EB-5 visa applicants.

Trump 2.0 [ID #1981]

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.04.16 Reported - NYT: Musk’s Team Is Building a System to Sell ‘Gold Card’ Immigrant Visas

The New York Times reports that engineers from Elon Musk’s team have been working with staff at DOS, DHS, and USCIS to build a website and application process for Gold Card visas. Officials from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) "have met with officials at various agencies ... to understand which existing processes can be incorporated into their new system." DOGE officials are assessing "how to expedite the typical immigrant vetting process, which involves interviews and background checks, and obtain residency approval for high-net-worth applicants within two weeks of applying." Legal experts assert the program could violate immigration law because it bypasses Congress; critics have also raised ethics concerns about selling U.S. residency and data misuse.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.09.19 trumpcard.gov

The Trump administration published a website where visitors can learn about the Gold Card visa program and submit their contact information to begin the application process.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

Form I-140G: Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program

USCIS released a new form, I-140G, to petition for an employment-based immigrant visa under the Gold Card program.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.11.19 USCIS: Instructions for Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program

USCIS released instructions for filling out Form I-140G to petition for an employment-based immigrant visa under the Gold Card program.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

Reported: Trump's $1 million immigration Gold Card starts taking applications - Axios

Axios reports that President Trump's administration began accepting application for the Gold Card on December 10, 2025.