What Is the Gold Card Visa?

The Gold Card visa is a U.S. immigration program created by executive order, requiring a non-refundable $1M contribution for permanent residency.

Gold Card Visa Definition (Plain English)

Under EO 14351, applicants may qualify by making one of the following contributions:

- $1 million (individual tier) — often referenced as Gold Card $1 million

- $2 million (corporate tier)

- $5 million (“platinum” tier)

Because the contribution is described as non-refundable, the funds are not placed into a business or project and are not intended to be repaid.

How the Gold Card Differs From EB-5 (What Investors Should Know)

If you’ve seen “Trump Gold Card explained” coverage online, the biggest takeaway is that the Gold Card is not structured like EB-5.

Key differences commonly described:

- Donation vs. investment: Gold Card funds are a contribution. EB-5 is an investment into a qualifying U.S. business/project and is tied to job creation.

- No Congressional authorization: EB-5 is a statute created by Congress and updated under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA). The Gold Card was created by executive order, which can be more vulnerable to changes and court review.

- Active legal challenges: Reports indicate the program faces ongoing litigation and uncertainty around implementation and durability.

- Family coverage per petition: As described, Gold Card filings do not provide the same “one petition covers the family” structure investors expect in EB-5 (where a principal investor’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 typically immigrate as derivatives).

FAQs

Is the Gold Card the same as EB-5?

No. EB-5 is a congressionally authorized investor program (updated by the RIA) that requires an investment tied to U.S. job creation and includes grandfathering through September 30, 2026 for qualifying filings. The Gold Card is described as an executive-order-based program requiring a non-refundable donation, with different rules and currently reported legal challenges. For your specific situation, consult an experienced immigration attorney.

How much does the Gold Card visa cost?

EO 14351 describes tiers at $1 million (individual), $2 million (corporate), and $5 million (platinum), with the contribution stated as non-refundable. Additional government filing fees and professional fees may apply depending on how the program is implemented.