Donald Trump's 'gold card' visa scheme, announced in February 2025 with grand promises of attracting wealthy immigrants, has issued only one card more than a year later, according to multiple reports. The program, which offers employment-based green cards for a $1 million payment to the U.S. government regardless of merit, was touted by Trump as 'a green card on steroids' and by Lutnick as a potential trillion-dollar revenue source. However, the single approved applicant stands in stark contrast to the administration's initial boasts.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has made several contradictory claims about the program's sales and revenue targets. Shortly after the launch, Lutnick stated in a podcast that he had sold 1,000 cards. Yet later, in a press conference, he testified that only one card has been issued, adding that the program is new and they wanted to ensure rigorous vetting. He also claimed there are 'hundreds in the queue' who paid the $15,000 application fee, and in a public speech he said there were 250,000 people in line willing to pay $5 million each, totaling over a trillion dollars. These figures—ranging from 1,000 sold to one issued, and from hundreds to 250,000 in line—highlight a major discrepancy in the administration's claims about the program's success, suggesting either exaggeration or a significant change in circumstances.
This is a new program, and they've just set it up, and they wanted to make sure they did it perfectly. It's a DHS program done with a rigorous, rigorous vetting.
The gold card grants employment-based green cards for a $1 million payment to the U.S. government, regardless of merit, according to major media reports. Businesses seeking visas for foreign employees must pay $2 million. Trump described the gold card as 'a green card on steroids' in a public speech, adding that rich people will come to the country by buying this card, spending money, paying taxes, and hiring people. The program is designed to bypass traditional merit-based immigration criteria, offering a direct path to residency for those who can afford the price.
The identity of the sole approved applicant remains unclear. The Independent reports that the identity is unknown and the Department of Homeland Security referred questions to the Commerce Department. However, Expressen, citing The Hill, reports that it is likely rapper Nicki Minaj, who received the card for free. If true, this would undermine the program's stated purpose of selling to wealthy foreigners, as a celebrity receiving it gratis would not generate the intended revenue. The mystery surrounding the applicant adds to the confusion about the program's implementation.
I sold a thousand cards yesterday.
A website to accept applications was launched in December 2025, according to major media reports. The application process requires a $15,000 fee, which Lutnick said has been paid by 'hundreds in the queue.' However, the total number of applications submitted and the revenue generated from fees have not been disclosed. The slow rollout and limited issuance suggest operational challenges or a lack of demand.
The gold card program faces legal challenges. A federal lawsuit claims the program prioritizes wealth over intellect or ability, arguing that it creates an illegal 'fast lane' that cuts out qualified immigrants. According to The Independent, Norm Eisen, co-founder of the Democracy Defenders Fund, described the program as prioritizing money over traditional immigration values. A group of noncitizen doctors and researchers are challenging the program, asserting that it undermines merit-based immigration by allowing wealthy individuals to bypass the standard process. The lawsuit's status is unclear, but it represents a significant obstacle to the program's expansion.
There are hundreds in the queue.
In summary, the Trump gold card visa scheme has fallen far short of its ambitious promises, with only one card issued despite claims of thousands of sales and hundreds of applicants. The contradictions in Lutnick's statements, the mystery of the approved applicant, and the legal challenges all cast doubt on the program's viability. The administration has not provided a clear explanation for the discrepancy between the initial hype and the actual results.
They have just set it up, and they wanted to be sure everything was done right.
That is 250,000 people in line now. If they are willing to pay $5 million each, that is over a trillion dollars that goes directly to the treasury.
Rich people will come to our country by buying this card. They will be wealthy, they will be successful, and they will spend a lot of money, pay a lot of taxes and hire a lot of people.