Trump Gold & Platinum Cards: How ultra-rich can obtain US Residency; eligibility, taxes and cost

Trump Gold & Platinum Cards

A new immigration initiative from the U.S. government has caught the attention of global investors. Positioned as a premium pathway to residency, it comes in two versions: Gold and Platinum. Both are expensive, but they open doors to America with different taxability structures.

Here is a closer look at the Trump Gold and Platinum Cards:

The Trump Gold Card

The Gold Card is designed for individuals who make a $1 million contribution to the U.S. Treasury. After background checks and approvals from Homeland Security, successful applicants receive permanent resident status under the EB-1 or EB-2 visa category.

An EB-1 visa holder is recognised for extraordinary ability in areas such as science, arts, education, business, or athletics, or qualifies as an outstanding professor/researcher or a multinational manager/executive. An EB-2 visa holder usually has an advanced degree or demonstrates exceptional ability in their field and generally needs an employer-sponsored job offer.

How to apply: Start by visiting the official website trumpcard.gov, and filling out the application form. A nonrefundable processing fee needs to be paid.

Background checks: The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) conducts an in-depth background check and verification process to assess eligibility.

Approval and issuance: If approved, you will be granted the Trump Gold Card, which can be used across all 50 states and U.S. territories.

Taxability: Gold Card holders will be taxed like any other U.S. permanent resident and citizens.

There’s also a Corporate Gold Card, where companies can sponsor employees with a US$2 million contribution per employee. These contributions can sometimes be reassigned if staff change.

The Trump Platinum Card

Still in the pipeline, the Platinum Card comes with a far higher price tag, a US$5 million contribution. Platinum holders can spend up to 270 days a year. The applications are currently on a waitlist and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis once the program goes live.

Taxability: What makes it attractive is it allows to reside in the United States without being subject to tax on non-U.S. income. 

What about Revocation?

Both Gold and Platinum Cards can be revoked for reasons such as national security concerns or non-compliance with visa requirements. Since the Platinum program hasn’t fully rolled out yet, more rules may emerge.

Should you consider Trump Gold/Platinum Card?

For high-net-worth individuals, it’s essentially a trade-off: money for U.S access. But the tax consequences differ between the two versions. A gold card means full tax exposure as a US resident or citizen; a Platinum card does not tax non-US income but costs five times more.

The Trump Gold and Platinum Cards are not for the average investor. They are tools for the ultra-wealthy seeking access and flexibility in the U.S. If you’re considering it, expert legal and tax advice is non-negotiable.