A Costly Doorway to Citizenship
President Donald Trump unveils a visa aimed at wealthy foreign applicants. The programme targets individuals who pay at least one million dollars. Trump promises a direct route to citizenship for vetted candidates. He says the initiative helps US companies keep crucial international talent. He presents the scheme as a major economic advantage.
How the Gold Card Functions
The Gold Card offers a fast US visa for applicants who show significant economic value. The official website says the programme serves people who bring substantial benefit to the United States. The rollout happens as Washington tightens its immigration rules. The government raises work-visa fees and expands deportation efforts against undocumented migrants.
The programme promises residency in record time. The one-million-dollar payment acts as proof of expected national benefit. Companies that sponsor workers must pay two million dollars plus added charges. A planned platinum version will cost five million dollars and include tax incentives. Additional government fees may apply based on each applicant’s case. Every applicant must also pay a non-refundable processing fee of fifteen thousand dollars.
Political Criticism Mounts
The programme draws criticism since its debut in February. Several Democrats argue that the scheme favours wealthy individuals. Trump initially compared the new card to the traditional green card. The green card offers permanent residence and work rights to people across income levels. Holders usually qualify for citizenship after five years.
The Gold Card focuses on high-level professionals. Trump says the country wants productive people. He argues that applicants who pay five million dollars will create jobs. He predicts strong demand and calls the offer a bargain.
Part of a Wider Immigration Crackdown
The administration devotes major resources to new deportation actions. The United States pauses applications from nineteen countries under the travel ban. Many of those nations lie in Africa or the Middle East. The government halts all asylum decisions and reviews cases approved under President Joe Biden.
In September Trump announces a one-hundred-thousand-dollar fee for H-1B visa applicants. The H-1B allows skilled foreign workers to enter the country. The decision unsettles many international students and technology firms. The White House later clarifies that the fee applies only to new applicants living abroad.
