Gold card visa programme: Lutnick confirms one approval, with hundreds queued

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told a congressional committee on Thursday that President Donald Trump’s gold card visa has been approved for one person. The scheme lets a foreigner pay at least USD 1 million to live and work in the US. Lutnick also said hundreds of applications are waiting to be processed.

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The gold card plan was launched in December and was presented as a new route for wealthy migrants. It is intended to replace the EB-5 programme, which has existed for decades. EB-5 offered US visas to people investing about USD 1 million in a firm with at least 10 employees.

Trump gold card visa: claims, approvals and a key gap

Lutnick’s statement appeared to differ from an earlier sales claim made after the launch. At that time, Lutnick said the government had sold USD 1.3 billion worth in several days. Trump was shown holding a gilded ticket and described it as the green card on steroids.

During Thursday’s hearing, Lutnick did not explain the apparent mismatch when questioned by a congresswoman. Still, Lutnick spoke positively about the rollout and pace. "Theyve just set it up, and they wanted to make sure they did it perfectly,\" Lutnick said.

Trump gold card visa: costs, vetting fees and employer option

Lutnick said each applicant pays a USD 15,000 fee, in addition to the million-dollar payment. Lutnick said the fee supports strict vetting for people seeking entry. Lutnick added that the programme can later open a path to US citizenship.

Lutnick also said companies can pay USD 2 million for a foreign-born employee under the same framework. Under that option, firms also pay a 1% annual maintenance fee. The proposal ties legal access to the US with higher upfront payments.

Trump gold card visa: budget goals and debt backdrop

Trump pushed the concept last year and first suggested a price of USD 5 million. Trump argued it would attract foreign talent to the US and add money to federal accounts. A year ago, Lutnick said at a cabinet meeting the gold card would raise USD 1 trillion.

US publicly held debt stands at USD 31.3 trillion. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget projects this fiscal year’s deficit at roughly USD 2 trillion. When asked how proceeds will be used, Lutnick said: \"That will be determined by the administration, and its terms are for the betterment of the United States of America.\"

Trump gold card visa: website pitch and planned Platinum Card

The programme has a government website carrying the line Unlock life in America. The page shows a gold card with Trump’s face and a bald eagle. It also includes the Statue of Liberty and Trump’s squiggled signature.

The same website also promotes a planned USD 5 million Trump Platinum Card. It says the card would allow up to 270 days in America without tax on non-US income. The visa push sits alongside Trump’s identity focused on deporting migrants without legal status.

Lutnick’s comments also placed the gold card idea in a wider global context. Many countries offer similar \"golden visa\" routes for wealthy applicants. Examples include the United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, Malta, Australia, Canada and Italy, while US officials continue processing the pending gold card queue.

With inputs from PTI