U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced on Thursday that only one person has been approved so far for former President Donald Trump's “Gold Card” visa program, which grants U.S. residency to foreigners who pay a $1 million fee. Lutnick did not disclose the identity of the approved applicant.
Hundreds of Applications Under Review
During testimony before a U.S. House committee, Lutnick stated that applications from “hundreds” of additional foreigners are currently under review. The program, which began accepting applications in December, requires applicants to undergo “an extraordinary vetting process” and pay a $15,000 processing fee.
Program Details
The Trump administration has promoted the Gold Card visa as a critical tool for attracting talent to the United States. Recipients of the visa are required to pay $1 million to obtain U.S. residency. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the program's progress.
The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions about immigration and economic policy, with supporters arguing the program brings high-net-worth individuals to the U.S., while critics question its accessibility and oversight.
