This page tracks the latest developments in the Trump Gold Card visa program. We monitor USCIS announcements, court proceedings, legislative changes, and application updates so you don’t have to. Updated regularly as new information becomes available.
March 2026 Updates
Program Status: Live but Under Legal Challenge
The Trump Gold Card program continues to accept applications through trumpcard.gov, where it has been live since December 2025. Applicants can register, pay the $15,000 DHS processing fee via pay.gov, and subsequently file Form I-140G (Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program) through their USCIS online account.
However, the program faces a significant legal challenge. On February 3, 2026, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and Public Citizen, along with six individual immigrant professionals, filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The lawsuit characterizes the Gold Card program as an “unlawful pay-to-play scheme” that sells U.S. residency to wealthy individuals while pushing aside scientists, researchers, engineers, and other outstanding professionals whom Congress directed the immigration system to prioritize.
No Publicly Confirmed Gold Card Holders
As of March 2026, there are no publicly verified instances of any individual successfully obtaining a Gold Card. No names have been disclosed by the government, no approval statistics have been made available, and immigration attorneys have not reported confirmed cases progressing through the final stages of the process. USCIS has not published any data on application volumes, processing times, or approval rates for the Gold Card program.
This information gap is significant. When Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced the program in September 2025, he stated that an initial 80,000 Trump Cards would be made available. Whether any of those have been issued remains unknown. For more detail, see our analysis: Has Anyone Received a Gold Card?
March 2026 Visa Bulletin: Major EB Movement
The March 2026 Visa Bulletin from the Department of State shows meaningful forward movement in employment-based categories that directly affect Gold Card applicants:
- EB-1 (All countries except India/China): Remains current—no backlog
- EB-1 India & China (Dates for Filing): Advanced from August 1, 2023 to December 1, 2023
- EB-2 Rest of World (Dates for Filing): Now CURRENT—previously October 15, 2024
- EB-2 India (Dates for Filing): Significant jump from December 1, 2013 to November 1, 2014
- EB-2 China (Dates for Filing): Unchanged at January 1, 2022
USCIS has confirmed it will use the Dates for Filing chart for March 2026. This is notable because Gold Card applicants use EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) or EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) categories. For Rest of World applicants, the EB-2 category becoming current means no visa number wait once the petition is approved.
For a deeper look at how these dates impact Gold Card processing, read: Gold Card Visa Processing Times.
Form I-140G Filing Process
USCIS has published Form I-140G (Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program) along with detailed instructions. Key points about the filing process:
- Online only—Form I-140G cannot be mailed as a paper form
- Applicants must first register at trumpcard.gov and receive confirmation before filing
- The form requires: 20-year employment history, education details, government/military positions held, all financial accounts (including cryptocurrency), and source-of-funds documentation
- USCIS vets donated funds to ensure they originate from a lawful source
- After I-140G approval, applicants remit the $1M gift via ACH or wire to the Department of Commerce
- Consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate follows for visa issuance
For the complete step-by-step guide, see: How to Apply for the Gold Card Visa.
Program Quick Facts
Non-refundable gift to U.S. government
Sponsor employees for permanent residency
NOT YET AVAILABLE — waitlist only
$15,000 DHS fee + $375 per person
Existing employment-based categories
Executive Order signed September 19, 2025
Timeline of Key Events
Visa Bulletin shows significant EB-1 and EB-2 forward movement. EB-2 Rest of World becomes current in Dates for Filing chart. Program continues to accept applications while federal lawsuit proceeds.
AAUP, Public Citizen, and six immigrant professionals file federal lawsuit in D.C. District Court challenging the Gold Card program as an unlawful pay-to-play scheme that exceeds executive authority and violates the Immigration and Nationality Act and Administrative Procedure Act.
Application volume remains unknown. No public confirmations of approved Gold Card holders. USCIS publishes Form I-140G and detailed filing instructions. Immigration attorneys report client interest but no confirmed approvals.
Gold Card program launches at trumpcard.gov. Application portal opens for registration and $15,000 processing fee payment. President Trump announces the program is live.
President Trump signs Executive Order 14351, establishing the legal framework for the Gold Card program. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announces an initial allocation of 80,000 Gold Cards.
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What to Watch in March & April 2026
Several developments could significantly impact the Gold Card program in the coming weeks:
- Lawsuit proceedings: The AAUP/Public Citizen lawsuit could result in a preliminary injunction that pauses the program. Court filings and hearings will determine the timeline.
- USCIS data release: Any official statistics on application volumes, processing times, or approval rates would be the first concrete data on the program’s uptake.
- First confirmed holders: If applicants who registered in December 2025 have progressed through vetting, we could see the first publicly confirmed Gold Card holders.
- April 2026 Visa Bulletin: Continued EB movement could further benefit Gold Card applicants, particularly those filing under EB-2 NIW.
- Platinum Card updates: The $5M Platinum Card (non-immigrant, up to 270 days/year, no U.S. tax on non-U.S. income) remains on waitlist only. Any launch announcement would expand the program significantly.
We will update this page as each of these developments unfolds. Bookmark this page and check back weekly.
Understanding the Gold Card Program
The Trump Gold Card is not a new visa category. It uses existing EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) and EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) immigrant visa classifications. What makes it different is that the $1 million non-refundable gift to the Department of Commerce replaces the traditional evidence requirements for these categories.
The payment is explicitly classified as a gift, not an investment. The money does not come back. This is a critical distinction from the EB-5 investor visa program, where applicants invest capital that can potentially be returned.
The Platinum Card ($5M) is a completely separate product from the Gold Card. It provides non-immigrant visitor status for up to 270 days per year with no U.S. tax liability on non-U.S. income. It is not a green card pathway and is not part of Executive Order 14351. The Platinum Card is not yet available and exists only as a waitlist option.
Gold Card vs. EB-5 Investor Visa
Many prospective applicants compare the Gold Card to the EB-5 program. Key differences:
- Gold Card: $1M gift (non-refundable), no job creation required, expedited processing, uses EB-1/EB-2 visa numbers
- EB-5: $800K–$1.05M investment (potentially returnable), must create 10 U.S. jobs, standard processing, uses EB-5 visa numbers
For a detailed cost breakdown, see: Gold Card Visa Cost: Complete Breakdown.
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