Original Date Announced

On September 19, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14351 establishing a "Gold Card" visa program, originally announced in February 2025, to "facilitate the entry of [noncitizens] who have demonstrated their ability and desire to advance the interests of the United States by voluntarily providing a significant financial gift to the Nation." The program makes eligible for an expedited immigrant visa noncitizens who donate $1 million individually or $2 million if they are being sponsored by a corporation or other entity. It does so by treating such donations as evidence of "exceptional business ability and national benefit" and eligibility for a national-interest wavier for EB-1 and EB-2 visas, respectively.

The order directs the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Homeland Security to implement the program, including by establishing and facilitating the visa application process. It also instructs the relevant Secretaries to consider expanding the program to EB-5 visa applicants.

Trump 2.0 [ID #1981]

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.04.16 Reported - NYT: Musk’s Team Is Building a System to Sell ‘Gold Card’ Immigrant Visas

The New York Times reports that engineers from Elon Musk’s team have been working with staff at DOS, DHS, and USCIS to build a website and application process for Gold Card visas. Officials from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) "have met with officials at various agencies ... to understand which existing processes can be incorporated into their new system." DOGE officials are assessing "how to expedite the typical immigrant vetting process, which involves interviews and background checks, and obtain residency approval for high-net-worth applicants within two weeks of applying." Legal experts assert the program could violate immigration law because it bypasses Congress; critics have also raised ethics concerns about selling U.S. residency and data misuse.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.09.19 trumpcard.gov

The Trump administration published a website where visitors can learn about the Gold Card visa program and submit their contact information to begin the application process.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

Form I-140G: Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program

USCIS released a new form, I-140G, to petition for an employment-based immigrant visa under the Gold Card program.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.11.19 USCIS: Instructions for Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program

USCIS released instructions for filling out Form I-140G to petition for an employment-based immigrant visa under the Gold Card program.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

Reported: Trump's $1 million immigration Gold Card starts taking applications - Axios

Axios reports that President Trump's administration began accepting application for the Gold Card on December 10, 2025.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2026.02.03 Complaint - AAUP v. DHS

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and several individual researchers filed suit against DHS, DOS, and the Department of Commerce to challenge the "Gold Card" visa program. The complaint alleges the program creates an unlawful "pay-to-play" system that bypasses statutory merit-based criteria, lacks congressional authorization, and violates the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).

The complaint alleges that qualified EB-1 and EB-2 applicants, such as academic professionals and skilled researchers, now face increased wait times and visa displacement due to the Gold Card program's expedited processing for wealthy applicants. Because the annual number of EB-1 and EB-2 visas is capped by statute, plaintiffs argue that the Gold Card program's "paid fast lane" pushes back qualified applicants who do not have the financial means to purchase the card. The lawsuit seeks a court order declaring the Gold Card program unlawful and enjoining its continued operation. Am. Ass'n of Univ. Professors v. DHS, No. 26-cv-00300 (D.D.C.).

**Link to case here. Litigation entries report only the initial complaint and any major substantive rulings. CourtListener provides access to PACER and pleadings. Sites that track litigation more comprehensively include Civil Rights Clearinghouse, Justice Action Center, and Just Security Litigation Tracker**