By: Vandana Marth
On September 19, 2025, the Trump Administration issued an executive order announcing the “Gold Card” program. The program would allow an individual applicant who donates $1 million to the U.S. Department of Commerce, or a company who donates $2 million on behalf of an applicant they choose to sponsor, an expedited path to an immigrant visa (Green Card).
The donation is treated as proof of “exceptional business ability” and “substantial national benefit” under the categories of EB-1 extraordinary ability or EB-2 exceptional ability: a national interest waiver (NIW) of the labor certification requirement.
The program is focused on admitting immigrants who can provide clear economic benefits, especially entrepreneurs, investors, and business professionals. The payments received under the program will be placed in a special Treasury fund and used to promote U.S. commerce and industry.
At this time, the program has not yet launched, the Secretary of Commerce, working in collaboration with the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, is to oversee the implantation of the program as the executive order requires the three agencies to implement the program within 90 days.
They must decide when donations can start to be submitted, how companies can transfer sponsorship for processing and ongoing sponsorship, what fees applicants and companies must pay for processing, and whether the program should expand into the EB-5 investor visa category.
The program must follow existing immigration laws and visa limits; it does not give individuals any legal right to sue or enforce benefits.
For any questions or assistance please contact your trusted Chugh, LLP immigration professional.
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