(UNITED STATES) President Trump on Friday signed an Executive Order creating a fast-track “Gold Card” pathway to U.S. lawful permanent residency that will accept direct payments to the U.S. Treasury in exchange for employment-based green cards. Under the order signed on September 19, 2025, individuals can obtain a Gold Card by paying $1 million, while corporations may sponsor a foreign national for $2 million under a transferable “Trump Corporate Gold Card.” The Department of Homeland Security will continue to vet applicants, charging an additional $15,000 processing fee. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who is leading the rollout, said the program will replace other employment-based green card routes within about one month and operate through existing EB-1/EB-2 categories.
The administration set an annual cap of 80,000 Gold Cards, a sharp reduction from the 140,000 employment-based green cards typically allocated each year. To make room for the new system, other employment-based categories will be suspended while the Gold Card is in effect, according to Lutnick. The White House framed the program as a streamlined and revenue-focused alternative to traditional routes, arguing it will bring “record time” processing while keeping national security checks in place.
This move represents a major shift in how the United States 🇺🇸 approaches employment-based immigration. Unlike the EB-5 investor program, which requires investment in job-creating projects, the Gold Card centers on a direct payment to the Treasury—an approach supporters say is simpler and faster, and critics warn could favor wealth over merit. The administration said the Gold Card will still run through EB-1/EB-2 channels, which in current practice are reserved for people the government deems to have “extraordinary ability” or advanced skills.
Program framework under the Executive Order
Commerce Secretary Lutnick said his department has been directed to stand up the program immediately, with applications funneled through a new portal. He stated publicly that the Gold Card will fully supplant existing employment-based pathways “within approximately one month” as systems and staffing shift to meet the expedited mandate.
According to officials, the Gold Card will be issued far faster than typical adjudication timelines, though DHS background checks remain required. The administration described the program as both expedited and disciplined, with Treasury receiving payments directly and DHS retaining control over identity, security, and admissibility checks.
Key program details announced by the administration include:
- Pricing
- $1,000,000 for an individual Gold Card
- $2,000,000 for a corporate-sponsored, transferable Trump Corporate Gold Card
- Security review
- $15,000 DHS vetting fee per applicant, with full background checks
- Annual availability
- 80,000 visas per year, compared to the current 140,000 employment-based total
- Category use
- Processing through EB-1/EB-2 employment-based green card categories
- Program displacement
- Suspension of other employment-based categories for the duration of the rollout
- Future expansion
- A “Trump Platinum Card” is planned but not yet finalized or detailed
The government has launched an official website to host program details and application guidance, and the Executive Order text is being circulated through legal and policy channels, including the American Immigration Lawyers Association. For background on how EB-1/EB-2 categories normally work, see the USCIS overview of employment-based immigrant categories.
Important: DHS vetting remains in place. Officials emphasize that speed won’t override screening, and applicants with prior immigration violations or criminal records should expect close review.
Impact on applicants and employers
For people able to pay, the Gold Card offers a faster path to a green card under familiar legal categories. The most obvious beneficiaries are high-net-worth applicants and large companies ready to secure permanent residency for key talent on a tight timeline.
- Example scenarios:
- A multinational needing a specialized executive could pay the $2 million corporate fee and move quickly once DHS clears the individual.
- An individual with personal wealth could use the $1 million option to remove the need for employer sponsorship and avoid long employment-based queues.
But the shift comes with significant trade-offs:
- Reduced total visas: Cutting employment-based numbers from 140,000 to 80,000 narrows options for applicants who cannot pay.
- Suspension impact: Other employment-based categories will be suspended, pausing traditional employer petitions and creating uncertainty for applicants in those pipelines.
- Employer choices: Companies may have to decide to pay the corporate fee, delay hires, or seek talent abroad.
- Equity concerns: Critics say the order “commodifies” the green card by allowing direct payments, favoring wealth over merit.
Immigration lawyers note the order remains within EB-1/EB-2 legal channels, meaning adjudication standards tied to “extraordinary ability” and advanced professional achievement still apply. Supporters claim the Gold Card could accelerate recruitment in time-sensitive fields like biotech, semiconductors, and AI. Opponents warn about fairness and the loss of merit-based lanes during the suspension window.
Families will also be affected. When a principal worker receives a green card, spouses and minor children typically derive status. Although the order did not detail derivative rules, any reduction in total numbers and paused categories can ripple through family planning and employment transitions.
DHS vetting details:
- The $15,000 fee covers security and background checks.
- Officials say speed won’t override screening.
- Processing speed will depend on DHS staffing, case complexity, and how quickly the new intake systems operate.
What happens next
As of late September 2025, the program is in its initial days. Secretary Lutnick said the government will shift resources so the Gold Card can operate at scale within about a month. That implies changes across adjudication lines, customer service, and payment handling.
Open questions for employers, workers, and families:
- Will the 80,000 cap meet demand at a price point of $1 million (individual) and $2 million (corporate)?
- How long will the suspension of other employment-based categories last, and will any exceptions apply?
- What happens to pending cases in suspended categories as the shift occurs?
- How will DHS measure “record time” and report processing data to the public?
Officials stress that the Gold Card builds on current EB-1/EB-2 legal bases. That means definitions tied to extraordinary ability and advanced professional achievement still guide adjudication, even if the payment model changes the queue.
The program’s relationship to EB-5:
- Supporters argue Gold Card is cleaner because funds go straight to the Treasury rather than project-specific investments.
- Critics say EB-5 ties residency to job creation while the Gold Card’s direct-payment model does not.
- Regional centers and project finance stakeholders will watch for capital shifts away from EB-5 projects.
Labor groups, unions, professional associations, tech firms, universities, and employers will likely press for transparency about beneficiaries and impacts on wages, hiring, and recruitment.
Practical steps for prospective applicants and employers
Practical preparations are straightforward but costly:
- Applicants should:
- Prepare funds for the $1,000,000 payment (or $2,000,000 corporate sponsorship)
- Budget for the $15,000 DHS fee
- Gather evidence showing they meet EB-1/EB-2 standards
- Monitor the official portal for application opening
- Employers should:
- Assess workforce needs over the next 12–24 months
- Decide whether to allocate capital for corporate sponsorships
- Plan for possible pauses in other hiring-based immigration routes
The Executive Order sets a fast timetable—the administration wants results within weeks, not months. Whether the system delivers on speed while keeping fair access and strong screening will shape public and industry reaction. Policy shifts of this scale often create early confusion; HR teams, counsel, and applicants will likely spend the next month adjusting to a new set of choices that tie immigration status to a direct payment.
Key facts (summary table)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Effective date of EO | September 19, 2025 |
| Individual Gold Card cost | $1,000,000 |
| Corporate Gold Card cost | $2,000,000 (transferable) |
| DHS vetting fee | $15,000 per applicant |
| Annual cap | 80,000 Gold Cards |
| Usual employment-based total | 140,000 per year (prior to order) |
| Processing categories | EB-1 / EB-2 |
| Displacement | Suspension of other employment-based categories while Gold Card is in effect |
| Planned expansion | “Trump Platinum Card” announced but not detailed |
For now, the core facts are straightforward: a new, paid, expedited pathway exists through EB-1/EB-2; it costs $1 million for individuals and $2 million for corporate sponsorships; DHS continues vetting at $15,000 per applicant; and 80,000 visas will be available each year while other employment-based categories are on hold. The coming weeks will reveal how these rules function in practice—and how the Gold Card reshapes the immigration landscape.
This Article in a Nutshell
The September 19, 2025 Executive Order establishes the Gold Card, an expedited employment-based green card pathway that accepts direct payments to the U.S. Treasury: $1,000,000 for individuals and $2,000,000 for corporate transferable sponsorships. DHS will continue background checks and collect a $15,000 vetting fee. The program will use existing EB-1/EB-2 categories, limit issuance to 80,000 visas annually, and suspend other employment-based categories during implementation. Officials promise rapid processing within roughly a month as systems shift; supporters cite faster recruitment for critical sectors, while critics warn the policy favors wealth over merit and reduces overall employment-based opportunities.
