Trump Gold Card vs EB-5 vs Platinum Card: differences that matter
Index
- Key Differences Between the Trump Gold Card and EB-5 Visa
- Gold Card vs Platinum Card: Price and Tax Benefits
- Corporate Gold Card and Employee Sponsorship
- Quota and Application Limit (What’s the Cap?): How Many People Will Be Accepted?
- Trump Gold Card FAQ
- Do You Need a Golden Card Attorney?
A new “golden visa” conversation in the U.S.
The year 2025 brought a major change for those seeking to obtain a green card through investment in the United States. The EB-5 investor visa program, which has been unchallenged for years, now has a serious alternative in the form of the Trump Gold Card, announced by President Donald Trump. So, which of these two options, costing approximately $1 million, is more advantageous for you?
On one side is the EB-5 visa, which has been legally guaranteed for decades and offers the possibility of capital return. On the other side is the Trump Gold Card, which promises a faster and more direct path without the requirement to create jobs. Moreover, new options such as the $5 million Platinum Card and the Corporate Gold Card for companies raise the question in investors' minds: “Which card is more suitable for my goals?”
Comparing the Trump Gold Card options and the EB-5 visa in terms of cost, process speed, path to citizenship, and family rights will make your decision easier.
See more: Trump Gold Card full program overview
Key Differences Between the Trump Gold Card and EB-5 Visa
For those seeking permanent residency in the US through investment, the Trump Gold Card and EB-5 Visa are the two most popular options. However, these two programs differ significantly in terms of their operating logic and application requirements. Here are the key differences to help you decide:
1. Job Creation Requirement
- EB-5 Visa: The most critical requirement is that the investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs in the U.S. economy. If this employment target is not met, permanent residency may be at risk.
- Gold Card: There is no job creation requirement in this program. The focus is on the financial contribution made directly to the U.S. government rather than employment.
2. Nature of the Investment (Is it Refundable?)
- EB-5 Visa: It is a commercial investment. After a certain period (usually 5-7 years), you have the opportunity to recover your capital with profits (though it is risky).
- Gold Card: It is a “contribution” or “donation” model. The $1,000,000 invested is transferred to a government fund and is not refundable.
For the current application requirements and a full breakdown of all costs for the Trump Golden Card program, please refer to our comprehensive “Trump Gold Card Fees” guide.
3. Process Speed and Approval Mechanism
- EB-5 Visa: File review processes can take years and are subject to complex project audits.
- Gold Card: The Trump administration's promise is that this process will be much faster and more direct. Individual security screening (vetting) takes precedence over project review.
4. Quotas and Waiting Periods (The Cap)
- EB-5 Visa: The 7% visa quota per country applied in the EB-5 program can cause long waiting lines, especially for applications from countries with high demand, such as China and India.
- Gold Card: Although Gold Card holders use EB-1 and EB-2 visa numbers, their applications are separated from standard files and undergo a special expedited review process. This allows the approval process, which could take months or years using traditional methods, to be completed much more quickly.
| Quota item | EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa | Trump Gold Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual total allocation | ~10,000 visas | EB-1 / EB-2 pool (~80,000+) |
| Per-country limit | 7% cap applies | 7% cap applies |
| Typical wait time | 2-5 years (average) | Expedited (months) |
Gold Card vs Platinum Card: Price and Tax Benefits
The two main “Gold Card” options offered by the Trump administration differ in terms of price, financial rights provided to cardholders, and tax obligations.
1. Trump Gold Card: Permanent Residency and Standard Taxation
Designed for individual applications, the standard Gold Card is ideal for those who want to establish a permanent life in the US.
- Cost: $1,000,000 donation + $15,000 processing fee.
- Tax Status: Gold Card holders are considered “U.S. tax residents,” similar to Green Card holders. This means all their worldwide income is subject to U.S. federal income tax.
- Advantage: Opens the path to citizenship and grants the right to live/work in the US indefinitely.
2. Trump Platinum Card: “Tax-Free” US Experience
This premium $5 million option offers various advantages to businesspeople who want to use the US as an investment base without incurring “tax” restrictions, in addition to residing in the US.
- Cost: $5,000,000 donation + processing fee.
- Special Tax Status: Platinum Card holders will be allowed to physically be in the US for up to 270 days per year and be exempt from federal income tax on income earned outside the US.
- Legal Status: For this tax exemption to take full effect, the U.S. Congress must amend current tax laws. Therefore, the Trump Platinum Card is currently in the “waiting list” phase.
For detailed information about the payment schedule and non-refundable fees, please see our article How much is the Trump Gold Card?
Corporate Gold Card and Employee Sponsorship
One of the most innovative models offered by the Trump administration, the Corporate Gold Card is designed to make it easier for companies operating in the United States or on a global scale to bring key personnel to the US. This system offers a much more flexible and advantageous structure than traditional employee visa sponsorships (such as L-1 or H-1B).
Transferable Visa Model for Companies
The most notable feature of the Corporate Gold Card is that it is “transferable.” The system works as follows:
- Cost and Donation: A company makes a donation of approximately $2 million for each employee quota.
- Right of Use: The company assigns this card to a key manager or specialist.
- What Happens When an Employee Leaves?: If the employee resigns, is terminated, or becomes a U.S. citizen after 5 years, the company does not lose its rights to the card.
- Transferability: The company can transfer the existing card to another employee by paying a specific “transfer fee” and conducting the necessary security screening (vetting) for the new candidate.
Why Choose the Corporate Gold Card?
Instead of dealing with visas that operate on a lottery system, such as the H-1B, or have strict requirements, such as the L-1, companies can purchase a “ready visa quota” with their money.
- Attracting High-Quality Talent: Companies can persuade the world's best engineers or managers by offering them a “Golden Card” directly.
- Long-Term Investment: Although the amount paid may seem high, the fact that the card can be transferred to other employees makes this payment a “capital investment” for the company's immigration operations rather than an “expense.”
| Feature | Traditional Company Sponsorship (L-1/H-1B) | Corporate Gold Card |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Can take months or even years | Expedited, dedicated process |
| Transferability | Tied to the individual. Not transferable | Can be reassigned to another employee within the company |
| Risk | Denial risk or (for H-1B) lottery risk | Primarily vetting (security/background screening) focused |
| Cost | Legal fees and government filing fees | $2,000,000 (structured as a one-time contribution) |
Quota and Application Limit (What’s the Cap?): How Many People Will Be Accepted?
Although the Trump Gold Card program may appear to be a “pay-as-you-go” system, it is not entirely independent of the annual quota restrictions in U.S. immigration law.
1. Annual Total Quota (Visa Availability)
Gold Card applications are drawn from the existing EB-1 (extraordinary ability visa) and EB-2 (NIW National Interest Waiver) visa pools. There is an annual quota of approximately 40,040 visas for each of these two categories. Since Gold Card holders will use slots from these pools, the total capacity is limited by this annual cap.
2. Per-Country Limit of 7%
Under U.S. law, no single country can receive more than 7% of the total quota for any visa category.
3. Target Number and Waiting List
According to recent statements by US President Donald Trump, approximately 80,000 cards are planned to be made available in the initial phase of the program. Moreover, it has been reported that over 70,000 people have already joined the official waiting list.
Trump Gold Card FAQ
1) Does the Trump Gold Card lead to U.S. citizenship?
Yes. The Trump Gold Card is described as a path to lawful permanent residence (a Green Card). After meeting the standard eligibility rules, typically including 5 years of lawful permanent residence and other requirements, cardholders can apply for U.S. citizenship.
2) Is the $1 million payment refundable?
No. Unlike EB-5, the $1,000,000 amount is described as a non-refundable contribution/gift. The $15,000 DHS processing fee is also described as non-refundable, even if the case is denied.
3) How much does a Trump Gold Card cost for family (spouse and children)?
Family pricing is described as per person. A spouse and unmarried children under 21 can be included, but each added family member is typically described as requiring an additional $15,000 processing fee plus an additional $1,000,000 contribution.
4) What is the Trump Gold Card processing time?
The official messaging describes an expedited process. After vetting is completed, approvals are presented as potentially taking weeks to a few months (faster than traditional EB-5 timelines).
5) What is the official Trump Gold Card application site (trumpcard.gov)?
The program points to trumpcard.gov as the official portal for submitting the online application and the initial processing fee, followed by account steps for tracking and document uploads.
6) Do I need a golden card lawyer?
If you are preparing a filing, a golden card lawyer can help with eligibility strategy, source-of-funds documentation, and family/corporate structuring before any fees are paid or documents are submitted.
Do You Need a Golden Card Attorney?
The Gold Card program is a relatively new system. Therefore, if you plan to apply in 2026, it would be a strategic step to start gathering the necessary documents and information early. The Gold Card offers a promising new alternative for those seeking to build a successful future in the United States. We would be delighted to manage all procedures on your behalf on this path to US citizenship through the Gold Card.
Have you made a firm decision to apply for a US Gold Card, or would you prefer our expert attorneys to guide you through the application process?
With our comprehensive consulting services for Gold Card applications, we are with you every step of the way. Our services are not limited to visa law; they also include eligibility assessments to protect your citizenship rights and analysis of the tax implications of the U.S. citizenship process.
If you are looking for a professional “golden card lawyer” Gozel Law Firm can assist you with matters such as source-of-funds documentation, family-specific structuring, and corporate strategies. You can also benefit from our expertise on how to best structure your case within the EB-1 / EB-2 categories.
At Gozel Law, we can evaluate the following:
- the readiness of source of funds and supporting documentation,
- family vs. individual cost structure (per-person fee),
- corporate sponsorship scenarios and transfer/maintenance fee logic,
- practical next steps depending on where the process will be conducted (consular vs. U.S. filing).
You can contact us to schedule a consultation with our investor visa experts: by email (info@gozellaw.com) or by phone (+1 862-799-2200).
If you would like to consult with an immigration attorney regarding your Gold Card strategy and documentation plan:
Consultation appointment: https://calendly.com/gozel-law
Contact our team: https://www.gozellaw.com/contact
Email: info@gozellaw.com
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