The Trump Gold Card program will launch December 18, 2025, according to the official timeline mandated by Executive Order No. 14351. With United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) completing regulatory review of Form I-140G and the Department of Commerce finalizing contribution protocols, the program is entering its operational phase after months of development.
High-net-worth individuals seeking U.S. permanent residence through the $1 million gift pathway now face a critical preparation window. The program’s launch means applicants should begin assembling comprehensive financial documentation immediately, as source of funds verification will determine which petitions the Department of Commerce approves for USCIS adjudication.
This update covers confirmed requirements, the application timeline, and specific actions prospective applicants should take before the December 18 launch.
Confirmed Launch Timeline and Current Status
December 18, 2025 Deadline Approaching
Executive Order No. 14351 set December 18, 2025 as the launch date for the Trump Gold Card program (also known as the Golden Card). Federal agencies are working within this compressed timeline to finalize:
- Form I-140G and accompanying instructions
- Payment processing systems through pay.gov
- Interagency coordination protocols between Commerce, USCIS, and State Department
- Adjudication officer training programs
Form I-140G Clears Regulatory Review
Draft Form I-140G, titled “Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program,” has cleared Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review. The form establishes the petition structure for both individual and corporate applicants seeking permanent residence through the gift pathway.
Simultaneously, the Department of State is seeking emergency approval for Form DS-260G, which approved beneficiaries will use during consular processing abroad.
What “Launch” Actually Means
The December 18 date represents when the program becomes operational and begins accepting petitions. It does not represent when approved applicants receive green cards. Standard processing timelines, security checks, and consular processing will extend several months beyond petition approval.
Applicants should plan for 12-18 months from petition filing to final green card receipt, even under expedited processing scenarios.
Confirmed Gift Requirements and Fee Structure
The Trump Gold Card program’s financial requirements are now locked in, with no changes expected before launch.
Gift Amounts by Petition Type
Individual Petitioners: $1,000,000 This covers the principal applicant plus any spouse or children under 21 included in the same petition.
Corporate Petitioners: $2,000,000 for the principal beneficiary, plus $1,000,000 per accompanying family member Companies filing on behalf of employees face substantially higher contribution requirements.
These amounts go directly to the U.S. Department of Commerce as unrestricted, non-refundable gifts. They do not function as investments and provide no economic return beyond immigration benefits.
USCIS Filing Fees
Each person named in the petition pays a $15,000 USCIS processing fee, regardless of petition outcome. A family of four applying individually would pay:
- $1,000,000 Commerce gift
- $60,000 in USCIS fees (4 × $15,000)
- Total: $1,060,000
For detailed breakdowns of all program tiers including the proposed Platinum Card option, see our complete Trump Gold Card program guide.
Source of Funds: The Critical Preparation Step
The Department of Commerce will vet every dollar contributed under the Trump Gold Card before USCIS proceeds with immigration adjudication. This makes source of funds documentation the single most important preparation task for prospective applicants.
Required Financial Documentation
The program mandates extensive disclosure to prove lawful fund acquisition:
Individual Petitioners Must Provide:
- Five years of bank statements
- Seven years of personal tax returns
- Documentation of all income sources (employment, business, investments)
- Real estate records (if funds derived from property sales)
- Business sale documentation (if applicable)
- Inheritance records with probate paperwork (if applicable)
Corporate Petitioners Must Provide:
- Three years of corporate tax returns
- Audited financial statements or annual reports
- Gross annual income documentation
- Net worth verification
- Full ownership structure disclosure
Employment and Background Disclosures
All petitioners must document:
- Complete 20-year employment history (where applicable)
- All government or military positions ever held
- Current net worth with asset/liability breakdown
- Criminal history attestation
- Foreign government relationship disclosures
Each family member included in the petition must submit personal background information, educational records, and identity documentation.
Why Start Now
Gathering this documentation typically takes 2-4 months for applicants with straightforward financial histories. Those with complex wealth structures—multiple business interests, international holdings, cryptocurrency assets—may need 4-6 months or longer.
Starting this process now ensures you can file shortly after the December 18 launch rather than scrambling to compile records while the program fills with early applicants.
EB-1 vs EB-2 NIW: Making Your Classification Choice
The Trump Gold Card requires petitioners to select either EB-1 Extraordinary Ability or EB-2 National Interest Waiver classification when filing Form I-140G.
Visa Availability Determines Timeline
Current visa bulletin data shows dramatic differences:
Indian nationals: EB-1 dates are nearly 9 years ahead of EB-2 Most other nationalities: EB-1 shows 1+ year advantage over EB-2
These gaps reflect per-country quotas and demand patterns. Your country of birth may make one category significantly faster than the other.
Standard Qualification Requirements
While USCIS has not published modified standards for Trump Gold Card applicants, traditional requirements include:
EB-1 Extraordinary Ability:
- Sustained national or international acclaim in business, science, arts, education, or athletics
- Major internationally recognized award OR meeting three of ten evidentiary criteria
- Continued work in the field of expertise within the United States
EB-2 National Interest Waiver:
- Advanced degree (master’s or higher) OR exceptional ability
- Work with substantial merit and national importance
- Well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor
- U.S. benefits from waiving labor certification
The Executive Order states that Trump Gold Card gifts serve as evidence of eligibility for these categories, but the precise adjudication standards remain unclear until USCIS publishes guidance.
Strategic Assessment Required
The choice between EB-1 and EB-2 NIW affects both approval prospects and timeline. Applicants should evaluate:
- Which category their professional background supports more strongly
- Current visa availability for their country of birth
- Strength of evidence they can assemble for each classification
Immigration counsel experienced in both categories can assess which path offers better prospects for your specific circumstances. Learn more about EB-1A requirements and EB-2 NIW qualifications.
How the Application Process Will Work
Based on published regulatory information, the Trump Gold Card application follows a multi-stage process with Commerce Department review preceding USCIS adjudication.
Stage 1: Gift Transfer to Commerce
Petitioners transfer the required gift amount ($1M or $2M) to the Department of Commerce with initial paperwork. Commerce reviews source of funds documentation to verify lawful origins and compliance with anti-money laundering standards.
Stage 2: Commerce Clearance
Only after Commerce approves the contribution does the case advance to USCIS. Commerce vets:
- Lawful fund origins
- Financial transparency compliance
- Alignment with national interests
This represents the primary bottleneck where insufficient documentation causes delays or denials.
Stage 3: USCIS Adjudication
Once Commerce clears the gift, USCIS handles:
- Security background checks
- EB-1 or EB-2 NIW eligibility review
- Form I-140G adjudication
- Final classification decision
Stage 4: Visa Issuance
Approved beneficiaries obtain permanent residence through either consular processing abroad (using Form DS-260G) or adjustment of status if already in the United States.
For the complete application timeline and process details, see our comprehensive Trump Gold Card guide.
Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid
Starting Financial Documentation Too Late
The most common error is underestimating how long comprehensive source of funds documentation takes to compile. Applicants often discover they need additional records from closed accounts, foreign banks, or business partners who require weeks to respond.
Action now: Contact your accountant, financial advisor, and any relevant institutions to begin gathering records immediately.
Incomplete Employment History
The 20-year employment history requirement catches many applicants off guard, particularly those who have worked in multiple countries or held numerous positions.
Action now: Create a detailed timeline of all employment since 2005, including employer contact information, position titles, dates, and salary ranges.
Inadequate Disclosure of Government Ties
Any advisory role, board position, or consulting relationship with foreign governments must be disclosed, even if informal or unpaid.
Action now: Document all government-related positions, including dates, responsibilities, and current status.
Cryptocurrency Documentation Gaps
The program accepts cryptocurrency-based gifts only with complete blockchain traceability and regulated exchange documentation. Anonymous or lightly supervised transfers will not satisfy requirements.
Action now: If any portion of your gift will come from cryptocurrency holdings, begin compiling complete acquisition and conversion documentation with exchange records.
Wrong EB Category Selection
Choosing EB-1 with insufficient evidence or selecting EB-2 without considering visa availability can add years to your timeline or result in denial.
Action now: Consult with immigration counsel to assess which category your background supports and which offers better processing prospects given your country of birth.
Trump Gold Card vs EB-5: Key Distinctions
Prospective applicants frequently compare the Trump Gold Card to the established EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.
Critical Differences
Investment Structure:
- EB-5: $800,000-$1,050,000 investment with potential capital return
- Trump Gold Card: $1,000,000-$2,000,000+ non-refundable gift
Job Creation:
- EB-5: Must create 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers
- Trump Gold Card: No job creation requirement
Processing Authority:
- EB-5: USCIS handles entire process
- Trump Gold Card: Commerce vets contribution before USCIS adjudication
Program Maturity:
- EB-5: Established program with decades of precedent
- Trump Gold Card: New program with untested procedures
The Trump Gold and Platinum Card program overview provides additional comparison details.
What the Platinum Card Proposal Means
Official Trump Gold Card materials reference a separate “Trump Platinum Card” requiring a $5 million contribution. This option would reportedly allow up to 270 days per year in the United States without triggering U.S. taxation on foreign income.
Current status: The Platinum Card has not progressed through regulatory review and has no confirmed launch timeline. Unlike the Trump Gold Card, no forms have been submitted to OMB and no implementation guidance exists.
Applicants interested in the Platinum Card should focus preparation on the Trump Gold Card for now, as that program has confirmed December 18 launch readiness.
Immediate Action Steps for Prospective Applicants
Before December 18 Launch
Week 1-2:
- Contact financial advisors and accountants to discuss documentation requirements
- Begin compiling bank statements for the past five years
- Retrieve tax returns for the past seven years
- Create detailed employment history timeline
Week 3-4:
- Document all income sources with supporting records
- Gather real estate transaction documentation (if applicable)
- Compile business sale records (if applicable)
- Request inheritance documentation with probate records (if applicable)
Week 5-8:
- Consult immigration counsel on EB-1 vs EB-2 NIW classification
- Review visa availability for your country of birth
- Assess evidentiary strength for each category
- Begin assembling professional credentials documentation
Week 9-12:
- Complete background disclosure documentation
- Verify all family member documentation (passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates)
- Prepare net worth statement with asset/liability details
- Finalize source of funds narrative explaining fund accumulation
After December 18 Launch
Once the program opens, early filers benefit from being first in the adjudication queue. Having documentation ready allows you to file immediately rather than waiting months to compile records.
How Harvey Law Group Prepares Trump Gold Card Petitions
Harvey Law Group, the largest immigration law firm globally, has 20 offices worldwide and over 30 years of immigration expertise with depth in employment-based permanent residence cases including EB-1A and EB-2 NIW petitions.
Our lawyers assist Trump Gold Card applicants through:
Pre-Launch Preparation: Assessment of documentation requirements, timeline planning, and financial record compilation coordination before the December 18 launch.
EB Category Strategy: Analysis of which classification (EB-1 or EB-2 NIW) your background supports and which offers better visa availability for your country of birth.
Source of Funds Documentation: Coordination with financial advisors to compile comprehensive fund origin documentation that satisfies Commerce Department vetting requirements.
Petition Drafting: Preparation of Form I-140G with supporting evidence addressing both immigration classification standards and Commerce financial transparency requirements.
Corporate Sponsorship: Guidance for companies sponsoring executives or key personnel, including elevated contribution requirements and corporate disclosure obligations.
Initial Consultation
Trump Gold Card consultations cover:
- Documentation requirements for your specific financial situation
- EB-1 vs EB-2 NIW classification assessment
- Timeline from petition filing through green card receipt
- Current program status and December 18 launch readiness
Our immigration lawyers meet with clients at our offices or by video conference.
Planning to apply for the Trump Gold Card when the program launches December 18?
Contact Harvey Law Group now to begin preparation. Early documentation assembly positions you to file immediately when the program opens, rather than spending months gathering records while others advance through the queue. Our immigration lawyers provide strategic guidance on classification selection, source of funds documentation, and petition preparation for this new pathway to U.S. permanent residence.
