A U.S. program granting permanent residency to individuals who donate $1 million to the federal government is moving closer to launch, with the “gold card green card” system becoming increasingly concrete.
According to immigration law firm Fragomen, USCIS recently submitted a draft of Form I-140G—the petition required to apply for the gold card green card—to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Once the federal government completes its review and approves the form, the program is likely to begin operating on December 18, consistent with the presidential executive order.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in September, establishing the gold card green card program. Under the order, an individual may obtain a fast-track immigrant visa by donating $1 million to the federal government, or a company may donate $2 million on the applicant’s behalf.
The draft guidelines indicate that applicants must pay a non-refundable $15,000 fee to USCIS in addition to the required donation. USCIS will use Form I-140G to confirm eligibility and verify that the donated funds originate from a lawful source. After the agency completes its review, the applicant will finalize the process at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
USCIS projects that approximately 1,000 applicants per year will apply for the gold card green card once the program begins.
