By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose. My Administration has tirelessly pursued the reversal of the problematic immigration policies implemented by the previous administration. These policies led to a surge of immigrants entering the country without a thorough evaluation of their impact on American interests.
Most notably, the prior administration allowed millions of individuals to enter the United States unlawfully, compromising public safety, national security, and the integrity of our legal framework. This lax approach enabled international cartels, transnational crime syndicates, terrorists, and other malicious foreign entities to exploit our open borders. Additionally, the previous administration mismanaged the refugee process, overwhelming local communities and, in some cases, compelling them to declare states of emergency in response to the influx.
It is a priority of my Administration to realign federal immigration policy to better serve the interests of our Nation by curtailing illegal immigration and focusing on the admission of individuals who can positively contribute to our society, such as accomplished entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders.
To facilitate this initiative, I am pleased to announce the Gold Card, a visa program managed by the Secretary of Commerce, which will streamline the entry of individuals who have shown both the intention and capability to advance the United States’ interests by making a substantial financial contribution to the Nation.
Sec. 2. The Gold Card.
(a) The Secretary of Commerce, in collaboration with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, will establish a “Gold Card” program. This program will grant eligibility for an immigrant visa to any individual who makes an unrestricted donation to the Department of Commerce as outlined in 15 U.S.C. 1522 (or on behalf of an individual by a corporation or similar entity). The required donation amount will be set at $1 million for individuals and $2 million for corporations.
(b) In reviewing visa applications, the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security will regard the donation mentioned in subsection (a) as a demonstration of eligibility under 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(1)(A) for exceptional business capability and national benefit under 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(2)(A), as well as eligibility for a national-interest waiver under 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(2)(B).
(c) The Secretary of Commerce will allocate the contributions collected under subsection (a) into a dedicated fund within the Department of the Treasury, utilizing these funds to bolster commerce and support American industry, in accordance with the statutory mandates of the Department of Commerce, see, e.g. 15 U.S.C. 1512.
Sec. 3. Implementation.
The Secretaries of Commerce, State, and Homeland Security shall take all necessary steps to implement the Gold Card program within 90 days of this order. Their actions will include, but are not limited to, the following, consistent with applicable law and their respective authorities, including visa limitations as specified in 8 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.:
(a) Develop a system for the application and expedited adjudication of Gold Card petitions, visa issuance, and status adjustments.
(b) Identify the date on which applicants (or sponsors, if applicable) may begin submitting donations for consideration under the Gold Card program.
(c) Create a process allowing a Gold Card holder sponsored by a corporation or similar entity to relinquish their status, enabling the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to recognize the original donation as evidence of eligibility under 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(1)(A), of exceptional business ability, and national benefit under 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(2)(A) for a different individual specified by the corporation or entity. The transferee will be subject to the same procedures as an original visa applicant, including necessary screenings for public safety and national security.
(d) Establish administrative fees to cover the costs associated with expedited processing as outlined in subsection (a).
(e) Set maintenance and transfer fees for corporations or similar entities sponsoring individuals under the Gold Card program.
(f) Explore the possibility of expanding the Gold Card program to include visa applicants under 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5).
Sec. 4. Severability.
If any part of this order or its application to any individual is found to be invalid, the remaining provisions will remain unaffected.
Sec. 5. General Provisions.
(a) This order shall not be interpreted to impair or affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to any executive department or agency, or their heads; or
(ii) the responsibilities of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget concerning budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order will be implemented in accordance with applicable law and subject to available funding.
(c) This order is neither intended to create nor does it confer any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other individual.
(d) The Department of Commerce will bear the costs associated with the publication of this order.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
September 19, 2025.
