Understanding the New Trump Gold Card: A Breakdown of Eligibility, the I-140G Petition, and the Green Card Process

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The Trump Administration’s new Gold Card Program, created by Executive Order 14351 in September 2025, introduces a unique employment-based immigrant visa option centered on high-net-worth individuals who make a significant financial gift to the U.S. Department of Commerce. While the program has generated significant attention, many prospective applicants and employers are still learning how it works, what the I-140G petition entails, and what happens after a petition is approved.

At its core, the Gold Card program is an immigrant visa (green card) category available under two categories: EB-1A and EB-2 NIW. Form I-140G serves as the first step in requesting a green card under this program, and beneficiaries may pursue the petition either through self-petitioning or via a sponsoring corporation. The petition requires applicants to prove that they possess sufficient lawfully obtained funds to make the required unrestricted gift to the U.S. government.

The required gift is substantial. Self-petitioners must contribute $1 million per person, including accompanying spouses and children, while corporations filing on behalf of an individual must provide $2 million for the principal beneficiary and $1 million for each dependent. The petition itself carries a non-refundable $15,000 filing fee per person. Evidence documenting the lawful source of funds is heavily emphasized: applicants may need to produce bank records, tax returns, property sale records, business ownership documentation, or blockchain-traceable cryptocurrency records, depending on the source of funds. The government may request interviews, biometrics, or additional documentation at any stage.

In addition to qualifying criteria based on financial capacity, the form requires extensive background information. This includes detailed employment and education histories, information on prior citizenships or nationalities, 20-year employment history listings, and a series of attestation questions addressing issues such as money laundering, sanctions, terrorism-related activity, human trafficking, and foreign government involvement in the origin of funds. Corporations filing on behalf of an applicant must also provide ownership structures, financial records, and detailed information on company principals.

Approval of an I-140G petition does not grant permanent residence on its own. Once USCIS approves the petition and an immigrant visa number becomes available, applicants must proceed through the regular consular immigrant visa process, including completing the Form DS-260 and attending an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, before being admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident. This requirement applies even to those accustomed to adjusting status in the United States under other immigrant categories. In this respect, the Gold Card process mirrors traditional employment-based immigration procedures despite its unique financial and classification requirements.

While the program is new, applicants should anticipate rigorous vetting, substantial evidentiary demands, and close scrutiny of source-of-funds documentation. Given the high stakes and the complexity of demonstrating extraordinary or exceptional ability alongside financial eligibility, individuals and corporations considering a Gold Card petition may benefit from careful strategic planning and experienced immigration counsel. As more guidance emerges and adjudication trends develop, understanding the structure and expectations of the I-140G process will be essential for navigating this new pathway to permanent residence.

If you would like assistance evaluating eligibility or preparing a Gold Card petition, our firm can guide you through every stage of the process, from structuring supporting evidence to ensuring a smooth transition into consular processing once a petition is approved.

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Disclaimer: This post is attorney advertising. It is meant as general information only, and is not legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. We suggest you set up a consultation with us before acting on anything you read here. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; every case is unique and must be analyzed individually.