Trump’s “gold card” visa program approved for only one foreign applicant so far

Only one foreign applicant has so far been approved under a new US immigration initiative introduced by President Donald Trump, according to testimony before Congress.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said during a hearing that just one individual has received approval under the so-called “gold card” programme, which offers permanent residency in exchange for a $1 million investment fee, as reported by the Associated Press.

Lutnick added that “hundreds” of applications are currently under review. All applicants must undergo what he described as an extremely thorough vetting process conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, along with a $15,000 processing fee.

The programme, launched in December 2025, is designed to replace existing US visa categories such as EB-1 and EB-2, which are intended for individuals with exceptional abilities or those considered beneficial to US national interests.

According to officials, the gold card provides a pathway to permanent residency and potential eligibility for citizenship. While the programme attracted significant interest shortly after its launch, actual approvals remain extremely limited.

Lutnick said the delay is due to the strict security screening process, which he noted was only recently finalised with federal authorities and is among the most rigorous in the US immigration system.

President Donald Trump previously stated that revenue generated from the programme would be used to help reduce the US national debt.

By Vugar Khalilov