On Thursday, April 23, Howard Lutnick, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, stated that only one person has been approved for the “Trump Gold Card” visa program, while the applications of hundreds of others are still under review.
During a hearing at the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, Lutnick shared this latest development. He mentioned that recently, the application process for the Gold Card visa has been finalized in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is responsible for the program.
Since December 10, 2025, the Trump Gold Card program has been accepting applications. Individuals applying for the Gold Card must pay $1 million, while businesses assisting individuals in their applications must pay $2 million. Upon approval, they will be granted permanent residency in the United States.
Lutnick stated, “They (DHS) recently approved one person’s application, but there are still hundreds in line waiting for their turn. They want to ensure everything is flawless.”
He added that the review process for Gold Card applicants is the “most stringent in government history.”
Lutnick did not disclose the identity of the approved applicant. He mentioned that applicants are also required to pay a $15,000 application fee.
When asked by New York Democratic Congresswoman Grace Meng about how the $1 million donation for the Gold Card application would be utilized, Lutnick responded that the money would be used for “improvement” in the U.S.
“This will be determined by the government,” he said.
Currently, foreign nationals applying for lawful permanent resident status (green card) face a waiting period of over three years. However, the Gold Card allows wealthy foreigners to swiftly obtain legal status in the U.S.
Anyone with assets worth $1 million can apply for the Gold Card, and there are no stipulations in the application process requiring the funds to come from the applicant’s own business or employment. It also does not prevent individuals from using funds from parents, family members, loans, or cryptocurrency to pay the application fees.
President Trump believes that the new version of the Gold Card can help the U.S. attract and retain top talents, while also boosting federal revenue. When the Gold Card program officially started accepting applications, he mentioned that businesses can purchase Gold Cards to assist foreign exchange students in staying in the U.S. after graduating from college and making it easier for them to find jobs. If they secure employment in the U.S., they do not have to return to their home countries.
The President specifically mentioned American top university graduates from China, India, and France who may receive the Gold Card.
“In essence, it is a green card, but better,” said Trump at the time. “More powerful, more reliable.”
Lutnick stated on Thursday that the Gold Card program is a direct pathway for all eligible individuals who have undergone review to obtain U.S. citizenship.