Trump Gold Card FAQ 2026: 12 Straight Answers
Everything applicants ask before committing $1,015,000 — answered plainly, with links to the full guides.
Twelve straight answers to the questions our readers actually ask about the Gold Card — costs, refunds, taxes, timelines, and the disqualifiers nobody advertises. For the full deep-dives, every answer links into the complete Gold Card series below.
Is the Trump Gold Card a real program?
Yes. It was created by Executive Order 14351 on September 19, 2025, and has accepted applications since December 11, 2025, processed through Form I-140G under the existing EB-1/EB-2 framework.
How much does it cost in total?
A $15,000 non-refundable processing fee per person plus a non-refundable $1 million gift to the US government for the principal applicant, with separate fees for each family member - plus legal, tax, and documentation costs.
Is the $1 million refundable if I am denied?
No. Both the processing fee and the gift are non-refundable, even if the case is ultimately denied at the visa stage. This is the single most important risk to understand before applying.
Is it a visa or a green card?
It is a pathway to a green card (permanent residence), petitioned through Form I-140G. Approval leads to an immigrant visa or adjustment of status, not a temporary visa.
How long does the process take?
Realistically several months minimum: fee and account setup, vetting, the gift transfer, I-140G processing, then adjustment or consular processing. Family cases and overseas consular queues extend it.
Do I have to live in the US afterward?
Green card holders must maintain US residence to keep the status - extended absences risk abandonment. If you do not actually want to live in America, a golden visa or citizenship by investment usually fits better.
Will I pay US taxes?
Yes - permanent residents are taxed on worldwide income from day one. For many wealthy applicants, the tax consequences exceed the $1 million gift over time. Obtain cross-border tax advice before applying.
Can my family be included?
Spouses and children can apply, but each carries their own processing fee and vetting - family coverage is per-person, unlike most golden visa programs where one investment covers the household.
What is Form I-140G?
The Gold Card variant of the I-140 immigrant petition, where the $1 million gift substitutes for the usual extraordinary-ability or exceptional-ability evidence under EB-1/EB-2.
What can disqualify me?
Failed vetting, undocumentable source of funds, criminal or security grounds, prior immigration violations, or misrepresentation - the standard admissibility rules still fully apply.
Is there a Platinum Card?
A higher-priced tier has been announced around a $5 million contribution aimed at extended US presence without full tax residency - details are evolving; see our Trump Platinum Card page.
Gold Card or citizenship by investment?
Different products: the Gold Card buys US residence and eventual citizenship eligibility at a $1M+ sunk cost with worldwide taxation; CBI programs deliver an actual second passport in months from $130,000 with no US tax entanglement. The right answer depends on whether America is the goal or the option.