Trump’s Gold Card Visa Has One Approval

Only one person has been approved for US President Donald Trump’s “gold card” visa program so far, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told a House committee on Thursday.

The US leader signed an order last September to create the program offering residency for a fee of $1 million. The programme started accepting applications in December.

“And there are hundreds in the queue” who are going through the process, Lutnick added.

Applicants must also pay a $15,000 processing fee to the Department of Homeland Security.

US Restricts Visas for Those Who 'Support Adversaries' — President Donald Trump.
Credit: Politico

Lutnick said they would go through a “most serious vetting and analysis.”

The “gold card” residency program charges a $1 million fee for individuals and $2 million for sponsorships by corporations.

Its creation coincided with Trump’s order adding an annual $100,000 fee to H-1B skilled worker visas.

Trump initially said the new visa would bring in job creators and could be used to reduce the national deficit.

Since returning to the presidency in 2025, Trump has tightened immigration, and his administration has conducted deportation raids.

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Jimisayo Opanuga

Jimisayo Opanuga is a web writer in the Digital Department at News Central TV, where she covers African and international stories. Her reporting focuses on social issues, health, justice, and the environment, alongside general-interest news. She is passionate about telling stories that inform the public and give voice to underreported communities.