The United States has introduced a new Trump Gold Card program for wealthy foreign nationals who want a faster route to U.S. residency.
Under the current program, an individual must first pay a $15,000 non-refundable processing fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. After background checks and approval, the applicant must make a $1 million contribution to the United States.
The program was formally established in September 2025 through an executive order. The order set the contribution at $1 million for an individual and $2 million when a company makes the contribution on behalf of an individual.
What does the Gold Card offer?
The Gold Card is an immigrant visa route linked to U.S. permanent residency. It is designed to provide an expedited process for eligible applicants, subject to immigration, security and visa-availability requirements. It is not an automatic citizenship programme.
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 can also be included, but each family member is subject to the additional $15,000 processing fee and $1 million contribution under the current programme.
What does it mean for Indians?
Indian nationals can apply under the same programme requirements as other eligible foreign nationals. The development is particularly notable for Indians interested in U.S. residency through investment, especially as the traditional EB-5 route has faced high demand from Indian applicants. In June 2026, the U.S. State Department said the annual EB-5 unreserved visa limit for applicants chargeable to India had been reached for fiscal year 2026.
The Gold Card therefore gives wealthy applicants another immigration route to consider, but it comes with a much larger financial requirement than the traditional EB-5 minimums.
A Very Expensive Route.
The biggest difference is the money involved. The current Gold Card requires a $1 million contribution plus the processing fee, while the existing EB-5 programme requires qualifying investment and job creation under U.S. immigration rules.
For anyone considering the programme, the important point is to check the latest official rules, eligibility requirements, visa availability and tax implications before making any payment. Gold Card holders are subject to U.S. taxation rules applicable to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, including tax on non-U.S. income.
Note: The original Times of India article was published in February 2025, when the Gold Card was still being discussed as a proposed $5 million programme. The details above reflect the programme as subsequently established and currently described by the U.S. government.
