On September 19, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order announcing a “Gold Card” visa program, to be established within the next 90 days and aimed ostensibly at high-profile entrepreneurs, investors, and business people. The program will provide an expedited pathway to permanent residence (aka the Green Card) to individuals and corporations who make “gifts” of $1 million or $2 million, respectively, to the Department of Commerce.

Here is what we know so far:

• Individuals will make the $1 million gift on their own behalf, whereas corporations (or other entities) can make a $2 million gift to sponsor an individual of their choosing.
• Payment of these amounts will be seen as evidence of “exceptional business ability and national benefit.”
• According to the executive order, the money will be used to “promote commerce and American industry.”
• Beneficiaries will still have to undergo public safety and national security screenings.
• The heads of the Departments of Commerce, State, and Homeland Security are tasked with creating the application process and setting fee amounts for processing of these applications (separate from the qualifying gift amounts).
• The new Gold Card will provide shortcuts for EB-1A (extraordinary ability), EB-2A (exceptional business ability), and EB-2B (national interest waiver) individuals, but may eventually be expanded to cover other immigrant visa categories.

We will keep you informed as more details on the Gold Card application process become available over the next three months.