Trump's Gold Card Visa Program Gains Momentum Ahead of December Deadline
The United States Department of Homeland Security and US Citizenship and Immigration Services have taken significant steps toward implementing former President Donald Trump's controversial Gold Card visa program, with a target implementation date of December 18.
Authorities have prepared the draft petition that applicants must submit and have forwarded Form I-140G, officially called the Immigration Petition for the Gold Card Program, to the Office of Management and Budget for final clearance.
Financial Requirements and Eligibility Criteria
The program sets substantial financial barriers for prospective applicants. Individual petitioners must make a donation of $1 million to qualify for permanent residence, while corporate entities face a higher threshold of $2 million. Additionally, each applicant must pay a non-refundable application fee of $15,000.
After creating significant buzz when President Trump initially launched the program, with administration officials claiming they would sell 1,000 Gold Cards daily, the initiative lost momentum amid the administration's generally strict approach toward immigration. However, recent developments indicate the program is back on track as the December 18 deadline approaches.
Application Process and Vetting Procedures
The application process involves multiple layers of scrutiny. Applicants must file their petitions with the Department of Commerce, after which USCIS will conduct a thorough assessment of their eligibility for the new visa category.
The vetting process includes verification that the donated funds originated from lawful sources, adding an important security dimension to the program. Once USCIS approves the petition and an immigrant visa number becomes available, applicants must complete consular processing at a US embassy.
Successful applicants will receive an immigrant visa enabling them to travel to the United States and be admitted as lawful permanent residents under either the EB-1 preference category for individuals of extraordinary ability or the EB-2 National Interest Waiver category.
Platinum Card Program: The $5 Million Alternative
Beyond the Gold Card program, Trump administration officials have hinted at an even more exclusive $5 million Platinum Card visa program. This premium option would allow applicants to spend up to 270 days in the United States without being subject to US taxes on non-US income. However, authorities have not released additional details about this higher-tier program.
The revival of the Gold Card program represents a significant development in US immigration policy, offering wealthy foreign nationals a potentially faster pathway to permanent residence through substantial financial contributions.
