Trump launches $1M 'gold card' immigration visas
3 days ago
- #visa
- #Trump
- #immigration
- President Donald Trump launched a scheme offering fast-tracked US visas to wealthy foreigners who can pay at least $1m.
- The 'Trump Gold Card' provides a direct path to citizenship for qualified individuals and requires a $1m fee, with businesses sponsoring employees paying $2m.
- A 'platinum' version of the card, offering special tax breaks, will be available for $5m.
- Applicants must pay a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee before their application is reviewed.
- The scheme has faced criticism for favoring wealthy individuals and was first announced in February.
- The Gold Card targets 'high-level' professionals, with Trump stating it will create jobs and sell 'like crazy'.
- The Trump administration has intensified immigration crackdowns, including raising work visa fees and deporting undocumented migrants.
- The US has paused immigration applications from 19 countries, mostly in Africa and the Middle East, subject to Trump's travel ban.
- The government has halted asylum application decisions and will review thousands of cases approved under President Joe Biden's administration.
- In September, Trump signed an order to charge a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applicants currently abroad, causing panic among students and tech firms.