United States Introduces ‘Gold Card’ Visa: Citizenship Available for a Payment of USD 1 Million

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News Desk: The United States has launched a new “Gold Card” visa program, under which wealthy foreign nationals who can pay at least USD 1 million will be granted U.S. visas on an expedited basis. The program was introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump.

On Wednesday, President Trump first announced the initiative on his social media platform, Truth Social, and later confirmed it while speaking with reporters.

In his Truth Social post, President Trump wrote: “Great news for qualified and verified interested individuals! The Trump Gold Visa has been launched. This visa will serve as a direct pathway to U.S. citizenship. Our great American companies will finally be able to retain their talented workers.”

According to U.S. officials, applicants must first visit a website named trumpcard.gov to apply for the visa. After clicking the “Apply Now” button, they will be taken to the application form. While submitting the form, applicants must pay a fee of USD 15,000 (equivalent to approximately BDT 18,21,964) as visa processing charges, which will be collected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Once the application review is completed, the applicant will be notified. Thereafter, the applicant must pay USD 1 million (equivalent to approximately BDT 121,46,46,300) as a “contribution” for the visa—referred to as a gift on the trumpcard.gov website.

The website also states that the Trump Gold Visa holds a status comparable to the U.S. Green Card. Just as Green Card holders are permitted to live and work permanently in the United States, recipients of this visa will enjoy similar privileges.

During a media interaction at the White House, President Trump said the visa is essentially a type of Green Card but “much better, stronger, and an ideal path to citizenship.”

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Reuters that nearly 10,000 applicants have already applied for the Trump Gold Card Visa during the pre-registration phase of the trumpcard.gov website. He expects the number of applications to rise significantly.

“We anticipate that, over time, we will be able to sell thousands of cards and generate hundreds of millions of dollars,” Lutnick said.