For an individual applicant, the current official terms state a nonrefundable $15,000 DHS processing fee and, after vetting, a $1 million gift; professional and any applicable State Department fees are additional. Re-verify every amount and payment stage on the official program page before transferring anything.
Model the unsuccessful outcome before the successful one
Financial decisions of this size deserve the same discipline any business owner would apply to a commercial commitment: work out the downside first. Establish from official sources what is refundable and what is not, add the professional costs that will be incurred regardless, and consider what a sold business and an unsuccessful filing would leave. If that combination is not tolerable, the sequence should change — assess the underlying category first, and keep the commercial decision independent.
Program terms can change because the program is administratively implemented, so verify them on the day of any commitment, and take advice from a licensed adviser rather than from anyone earning a commission. Hypothetical example: Amara operates an instrument-repair workshop and is deciding whether sale proceeds leave enough liquidity for a Gold Card application. The budget should distinguish the nonrefundable processing charge, the applicant’s payment requested after vetting, charges for family members, any government or medical costs, tax consequences and independent legal advice.
Official program instructions settle payment timing; a sale model settles whether the business decision remains sound if the application is delayed. Sequence a tax review before funds are moved across borders or a company is sold. A common error is budgeting only the headline contribution.
The required applicant payment is remitted to the U.S. government and does not guarantee immigrant-category approval.