The Trump Gold Card visa program has approved only one person since opening for applications in December, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told lawmakers in Washington. The $1 million immigration pathway was promoted as a fast-track route for wealthy foreign nationals, but its early results have fallen far short of claims that it could raise huge sums for the United States.
The Trump Gold Card visa program asks applicants to pay a $15,000 application fee, undergo vetting, and make a $1 million contribution if approved. Lutnick told a congressional committee that only one person has been approved so far, although hundreds of applicants remain in the pipeline.
Lutnick’s testimony created a sharp contrast with the administration’s early promotion of the program. President Donald Trump described the offer as “the green card of steroids,” while Lutnick earlier said the government had sold $1.3 billion in Gold Cards within days of the launch.
At the hearing, however, Lutnick said exactly one person had been approved since the program began. He added that hundreds of applicants were waiting and said the administration wanted to make sure the process was handled properly before approving more cases.
That answer left a major gap. Lutnick did not clearly explain how the earlier $1.3 billion sales claim aligns with the approved applicant, nor did he provide a detailed public breakdown of how application fees were being used.
When pressed by a congresswoman about the fee money, Lutnick said spending decisions would be made by the administration “for the betterment of the United States of America”.
What Applicants Know About The $1 Million Program
The program is aimed at foreign nationals who want a faster legal route to live and work in the United States. Applicants must pay at least $1 million, plus a $15,000 application fee, to access the process.
The keyword is process. The testimony suggests approval is not automatic, and the low number of approved applicants shows that vetting and administrative review remain major hurdles.
For applicants, unanswered questions are important. They need clarity on processing timelines, refund rules, vetting standards, approval criteria and how the government treats people who pay fees but are not approved.
For lawmakers, the accountability issue is different. If the program was promoted as a revenue generator, Congress may seek clearer figures on applications received, money collected, approvals issued, pending cases and rejected applicants.
How The Gold Card Fits Global Visa Trends
The idea is not entirely new. Dozens of countries have offered some version of a golden visa or investor-residency pathway for wealthy foreigners, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, Australia and Canada.
The difference is in structure and politics. Many golden visa programs require property purchases, business investment, job creation or government bonds. Trump’s Gold Card plan was marketed more directly as a high-priced immigration pathway tied to a large payment.
Read: Trump Unveils “Gold Card” Program for $1 Million Pathway to US Green Card
That makes the US program more controversial. Supporters can argue that wealthy applicants bring capital and talent. Critics can argue that the system creates a pay-to-enter route while ordinary immigration applicants face long waits and strict requirements.
How Does The Trump Gold Card Visa Work?
The Trump Gold Card visa is designed for wealthy foreign nationals seeking a fast-track route to legally live and work in the United States. Applicants pay a $15,000 fee and, if approved, are expected to pay at least $1 million.
The program does not appear to guarantee approval simply because someone pays to apply. Lutnick’s testimony that only one person has been approved reinforces that point.
Why Has Only One Gold Card Visa Been Approved?
Lutnick told lawmakers the administration wanted to ensure it did everything properly before approving additional applicants. He also said hundreds of applicants were waiting for approval.
The unresolved issue is transparency. The administration has not fully clarified how earlier claims of $1.3 billion in sales align with the single confirmed approval.
How Is The Gold Card Different From Other Golden Visas?
Other golden visa programs usually require a qualifying investment, such as property, business activity, job creation or government-backed financial commitments. The Trump Gold Card is structured around a large payment in exchange for a faster US immigration pathway.
That difference matters because direct payment-style immigration programs face close scrutiny over fairness, national interest and oversight.
