Gold Card Program Status Tracker

Q: Can I apply for a Gold Card today?

No. As of April 2026, the Gold Card is a policy concept that has been discussed by executive branch officials and reported on by media outlets. No legislation has been introduced, no regulations have been published, and no application process exists. There is no form to file and no agency accepting Gold Card applications.

Q: What would a Gold Card cost?

Executive statements and media reports have referenced a $5 million price point. However, this amount has not been established by any legislation or regulation. Until a bill is introduced and passed, the cost remains speculative. For context, the EB-5 program requires an investment of $800,000 (TEA) to $1,050,000 (non-TEA), which is intended to be returned to the investor after conditions are met.

Q: Is the Gold Card the same as EB-5?

No. The EB-5 visa is an established federal immigration program authorized by statute since 1990, requiring an investment in a job-creating enterprise. The proposed Gold Card would reportedly be a direct payment to the U.S. government with no investment return and no job creation requirement. They serve different purposes and have different legal foundations. See our detailed comparison at /compare/eb5-vs-gold-card.

Q: When will the Gold Card program launch?

Unknown. Creating a new immigration program requires Congressional legislation. As of April 2026, no Gold Card bill has been introduced in either chamber of Congress. The legislative process, from introduction through committee, floor vote, and presidential signature, typically takes months to years for immigration-related legislation.

Q: Would Gold Card holders get a green card?

Reports vary. Some executive statements suggest the Gold Card would provide permanent residency (green card equivalent) with a possible path to citizenship. Others describe it as a separate category. Without legislative text, the exact immigration status conferred by a Gold Card remains undefined.

Q: Is the Gold Card refundable like EB-5?

Reports suggest the Gold Card payment would be non-refundable, a direct payment to the U.S. Treasury rather than an investment. The EB-5 program, by contrast, involves an investment that is intended to be returned to the investor after the job creation requirements are met and conditions on residence are removed. This is a fundamental structural difference, but it has not been confirmed by any official legislation or regulation.

Q: Should I wait for the Gold Card or file EB-5 now?

EB5Status does not provide legal advice. However, as a factual matter: the EB-5 program is available today with established rules, processing timelines, and a legal track record spanning 35+ years. The Gold Card has no enacted legislation, no application process, and no defined timeline. Investors considering EB-5 should also note the September 30, 2026 grandfathering deadline, which locks in current investment minimums. Waiting for an unlegislated program carries inherent timing risk. Consult an immigration attorney for personalized advice.

EB5Status

Gold Card Program Status Tracker

Data current as of March 30, 2026 · Source: Congressional Record, Media Reports

As of April 2026, the Gold Card program has no enacted legislation, no published regulations, and no application process. The concept has been publicly discussed by executive branch officials and reported on by media outlets. Applications cannot be filed today. This page tracks every verifiable development with sourced trust tiers.

No Legislation Enacted

Applications cannot be filed. No bill has been introduced in Congress.

Last verified: March 30, 2026

Key Facts

1No Gold Card legislation has been introduced in Congress as of April 2026.
2The concept originated from executive branch public statements, not from any legislative action.
3Reports suggest a $5 million non-refundable payment, but no official parameters exist.
4The existing EB-5 program is available today and has a September 30, 2026 grandfathering deadline.
5EB5Status will update this page within 48 hours of any verified Gold Card development.

Timeline of Developments

February 2025

Estimated

Source: Executive statements

President Trump publicly discussed the concept of a "Gold Card" program at a press conference, describing it as a $5 million payment for permanent U.S. residency.

March 2025

Estimated

Source: Media reports (multiple outlets)

Multiple media outlets reported on administration officials elaborating on the Gold Card concept, including potential features such as a path to citizenship and no job creation requirement.

April 2025

Estimated

Source: Executive statements

Additional public statements from administration officials about the Gold Card, including references to a non-refundable payment structure and possible differences from the existing EB-5 program.

As of April 2026

Official Data

Source: Congressional Record, GovTrack

No Gold Card legislation has been introduced in Congress. No bill number, no committee assignment, no legislative text exists in the public record. The concept remains an executive policy discussion without legislative action.

What Is Known vs. What Is Speculative

Confirmed

Official Data

Executive branch officials have publicly discussed a "Gold Card" concept.
No legislation has been introduced in Congress.
No regulations have been published by any federal agency.
No application process or form exists.
The existing EB-5 program continues to operate under current law.

Reported (Unconfirmed)

Estimated

Reported price point of $5 million (non-refundable payment).
Would reportedly provide permanent residency or green card equivalent.
Possible path to citizenship after a defined period.
No job creation requirement (unlike EB-5).
Payment would go to the U.S. Treasury (unlike EB-5 investment in enterprises).

Legislative Activity

Official Data|Congressional Record

Bill introduced

Not started

Committee hearing

Not started

Committee vote

Not started

Floor vote (one chamber)

Not started

Floor vote (both chambers)

Not started

Presidential signature

Not started

EB-5 vs. Gold Card: Full Comparison

Compare cost, timeline, legal stability, family coverage, and program maturity side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

How this data was calculated

This page tracks the Gold Card concept using only verifiable sources. Executive statements are sourced from official transcripts or widely reported press events (Yellow trust tier). Legislative status is verified through the Congressional Record and GovTrack.us (Blue trust tier). Media reports are cited with publication names and dates. EB5Status editorial analysis is marked with the Orange trust tier. This page does not present any Gold Card detail as confirmed fact unless backed by enacted legislation.

Trust tier: EstimatedLast updated: 2026-03-30Source: Congressional Record, Executive Statements, Media ReportsFull methodology

Cite this page

EB5 Status. "Gold Card Program Status Tracker." eb5status.com. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://www.eb5status.com/en/current/gold-card-tracker

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