The Trump administration debuted a website on Wednesday that opens up applications for a “gold card,” an expedited visa that the federal government plans to provide to people who pay at least $1 million.
To apply for the card, people have to pay a nonrefundable $15,000 processing fee, according to the site. After applicants are vetted and approved by the Department of Homeland Security, they will then have to pay $1 million to “receive U.S. residency in record time” and become lawful permanent residents.
“A $1 million gift upon completion of the individual’s vetting is evidence that the individual will substantially benefit the United States,” the website says. “An individual may also need to pay small, additional fees to the U.S. Department of State depending on his or her circumstances.”
The website also provided a depiction of the card, which features a portrait of President Trump against the backdrop of an American flag and his signature under the words “TRUMP GOLD CARD.”
Businesses can also apply for a “corporate gold card” to sponsor their employees. Firms will owe a $15,000 processing fee and $2 million for each employee approved for the card, according to the site.
The new program has been in the works for months. After previewing the gold card earlier this year, Mr. Trump signed an executive order in September that officially created the program. He has framed it as a way for the government to raise billions of dollars and prioritize the admission of immigrants who would “affirmatively benefit the nation, including successful entrepreneurs, investors, and businessmen and women.”
Some Democrats and immigrant advocates have denounced the program, saying it would unfairly prioritize the admission of wealthy individuals.
The website also previewed the creation of a “platinum card,” which would allow foreign nationals to reside in the United States for up to 270 days each year without being subject to taxes on income earned abroad. Foreign nationals approved for the card would have to pay $5 million, in addition to a $15,000 processing fee.
The administration has created a wait list for the platinum card program. “There is no assurance that the Platinum Card contribution will remain at $5 million, so you should join the wait list now,” the website says.
Subject to availability, applicants who are approved for the gold card will obtain legal status as an EB-1 or EB-2 visa holder, according to the site. Once the application and fee are received, the process is expected to take weeks. But officials noted that “a small number of countries may have wait times of up to a year or more based on visa availability.”
In the past few weeks, the Trump administration has made sweeping changes to the legal immigration system. Federal officials put a hold on immigration applications filed by nationals from the 19 countries subject to the president’s travel ban, which are mostly in Africa and the Middle East. They have also paused decisions on asylum applications and promised to review the more than 50,000 asylum applications that were approved during the Biden administration.
Those changes came after the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington last month, which left one dead. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan who received asylum in April, has been charged in the attack. He has pleaded not guilty.
Trump administration officials have cited the shooting to justify the reforms, saying they are necessary to increase the vetting of immigrants in the country.
Madeleine Ngo covers immigration and economic policy for The Times.
The post Trump Administration Opens Applications for Million-Dollar Visas appeared first on New York Times.
