Trump Gold Card Visa Program Approves 1 Applicant, Commerce Secretary Says

According to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the Gold Card residency-by-investment program has approved one applicant, while hundreds of applications remain under review despite his earlier claim of $1.3 billion in sales.

Summary

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the Trump administration’s Gold Card visa program has approved just one applicant so far. The program offers U.S. residency and work rights, and the newer report says it provides a path to citizenship, in exchange for at least $1 million from individuals; the older topic also says companies can participate by paying $2 million plus a 1% annual fee. Lutnick had previously said the program generated $1.3 billion in sales within days, but his latest comments indicate that hundreds of applications are still under review, highlighting a gap between reported demand and completed approvals.

Terms & Concepts
  • Residency-by-investment program: A government scheme that offers residency rights to foreign applicants who make a qualifying financial investment.
  • Source-of-funds review: A compliance process that checks whether an applicant’s investment money comes from lawful and verifiable origins.
  • Approved applicant: A person whose application has been formally accepted by the relevant authority after review.