How to Apply for the Trump Gold Card Visa: Requirements, Costs, and Timeline

The Trump Gold Card: What We Know So Far, and How Barella Global Can Help

The Department of Homeland Security has now released the first set of concrete details for the Trump Gold Card, a new residency-by-contribution program created under Executive Order 14351. The program offers applicants the possibility of obtaining U.S. permanent residence (green card) on an expedited basis in exchange for a substantial vetted financial gift and successful adjudication of a new petition, Form I-140G. While the headlines have focused on the promise of “residency in record time,” the legal and procedural framework deserves a closer look—particularly for individuals and companies considering this option from abroad.

This overview summarizes what DHS has released to date, what remains unknown, and how Barella Global is positioned to guide applicants through the green card process.

Program Structure and Costs

The Trump Gold Card is built around two components:

1. A nonrefundable $15,000 DHS processing fee, paid at the time of application; and
2. A post-vetting financial gift demonstrating that the applicant will substantially benefit the United States.

For individual applicants, the gift amount is $1 million for each person requesting a Gold Card. For corporate sponsors, the gift requirement is $2 million per sponsored employee and $1 million per each eligible family member.

These amounts are confirmed in the Gold Card website and in the newly released Form I-140G and accompanying instructions. Family members must each be included in the initial application and are subject to their own $15,000 processing fee and $1 million gift.

Applicants should also expect additional expenses, including attorney fees, Department of State visa fees, the required medical examination, and other potential costs consistent with standard immigrant visa processing.

Eligibility Categories: Extraordinary Ability and NIW

The Gold Card does not create a new immigrant visa category. Instead, it routes applicants through the existing EB-1A (extraordinary ability) or EB-2 NIW (exceptional ability with a national-interest argument) classifications.

Form I-140G confirms that a petitioner—either the individual or a corporate sponsor—must request one of these classifications when submitting the petition.

This structure is significant for two reasons:

• Applicants must still meet the statutory evidentiary requirements for EB-1A or NIW.
• Visa availability controls timelines, and certain countries may face wait times even with expedited processing.

The administration markets the Gold Card as a residency-by-investment program, but in practice it overlays a contribution requirement onto the existing employment-based system.

The Application Process

The government frames the process in three steps—application, vetting, and approval:

1. Application & Processing Fee: Applicants submit the online form and the $15,000 fee. According to DHS, this triggers expedited handling.
2. Background Vetting: USCIS conducts extensive background, security, and financial reviews. For individual applicants, the source-of-funds section of Form I-140G is detailed, requiring tax returns, bank records tracing the path of funds, property sale documentation (if applicable), and disclosures relating to sanctions, money laundering, controlled substances, and other restrictions. For corporate sponsors, a parallel set of due-diligence disclosures is required.
3. Gift Payment & Consular Processing: Upon successful vetting, DHS will instruct applicants to transfer the required $1 million or $2 million gift via ACH or wire transfer. After petition approval and visa availability, applicants proceed to consular processing, including the immigrant visa interview and required documentation.

DHS states that processing “should take weeks” after the fee is received, assuming timely document submission. However, no regulatory framework or processing-time guarantee has been issued.

Unanswered Questions

Even with the latest release of information, several key points remain unclear:

• What evidentiary standard USCIS will apply when evaluating “substantial benefit,” given the pre-existing standards for EB-1A and NIW.
• How quickly consular posts will implement interview scheduling, and whether each post will be resourced for Gold Card cases.
• Whether the National Visa Center will establish a special processing unit, or whether cases will follow standard NVC workflows.
• Whether the contribution will factor into any public-charge analysis, particularly at the consular stage.

Why Retaining Legal Counsel Matters

Although the administration promotes the Gold Card as streamlined, the legal and evidentiary requirements are extensive. Two areas in particular demand professional handling:

Source-of-Funds Documentation

The I-140G requires a detailed and comprehensive source-of-funds analysis. USCIS expects multi-year tax filings, authenticated bank records, proof of ownership, property sale documentation, business records, and—if funds originate from cryptocurrency—wallet identification and traceable blockchain evidence. Incomplete or inconsistent documentation will delay adjudication or lead to denials.

Consular Processing Abroad

Once USCIS approves the petition, the case shifts to consular processing—a stage that can present challenges in timing, document preparation, and interview issues. Barella Global’s Brussels and London offices make the firm positioned to handle Gold Card consular processing throughout Europe. Our team has years of experience managing immigrant visa cases at U.S. embassies and consulates across the EU and UK, including cases involving administrative processing, diplomatic posts with limited appointment availability, and applicants requiring coordination across multiple jurisdictions.

Given the complexity of the consular stage—and the fact that the Gold Card program relies on existing EB-1/EB-2 visa processes—professional representation is indispensable.

How Barella Global Supports Gold Card Applicants

Through Managing Attorney Kyle Barella, Barella Global provides full-service representation for:

• Eligibility analysis under EB-1A and NIW standards
• Preparation and filing of Form I-140G
• Source-of-funds review, documentation strategy, and evidentiary preparation
• All consular processing steps, from NVC uploads to interview preparation
• Family-derivative planning
• Case management through admission as a lawful permanent resident

At this early stage of the program, applicants benefit from counsel who understand both the traditional employment-based immigration system and the unique financial-review structure built into the Gold Card—similar to that of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa.

Schedule a Consultation

The Trump Gold Card is a significant departure from traditional U.S. immigration pathways. While marketed as simple and fast, the requirements—legal, financial, and procedural—are substantial.

For individuals and companies considering a Gold Card petition, preparing thoroughly from the outset is critical. Barella Global is ready to guide applicants through this new landscape as further information is released.

If you would like assistance evaluating eligibility or preparing an application, please contact our Brussels or London offices to schedule a consultation. Alternatively, you can conveniently schedule a consultation through our Online Booking Platform.