Application and the nonrefundable processing fee come first, then vetting, then the gift, then the immigrant-visa or adjustment stage. The official FAQ checked September 8, 2026 says the process should take weeks after the application and fee are received, but gives no guarantee; re-verify that statement before relying on it.
Fee, vetting, gift, then the immigrant process
The official program page sets out the sequence and, as checked September 8, 2026, says the process should take weeks once the application and processing fee are received, assuming the applicant promptly supplies additional documents and attends the visa interview. That is an estimate, not a guaranteed completion date. The applicant pays the nonrefundable processing fee, undergoes vetting, and only after successful vetting makes the gift. The case then proceeds through immigrant-visa processing or, where legally available, adjustment of status. Hypothetical example: the Val-des-Monts couple should keep the rental yard operating under a manager until permanent residence is actually granted. The gift should not be paid until vetting succeeds and the official page has been re-read that day. Once residence is granted, extended absences to manage the Canadian business can support a finding of abandonment, while continuous residence for later naturalization is a separate issue.
A first timeline should identify the point at which the applicant may make the gift payment and keep that step separate from visa processing. The official program terms in force on the payment date settle the sequence, so an old summary should not be relied on. Hypothetical example: a roofing-materials distributor expects to sell its company before applying. It should keep the business running until vetting succeeds, preserve sale records for the funds review and avoid committing the payment early. The Gold Card is not a conventional visa; the applicant makes the payment to the U.S. government.