Administration of US President Donald Trump has issued the first "golden visa" worth $1 million, providing a Green Card. This is the only approved application so far, but there are hundreds of people in line, US Trade Minister Howard Lutnik said. Donald Trump established a new visa program in the fall of 2025.
US unveils controversial 'golden visa' under Trump's $1M residency scheme
The administration of US President Donald Trump has approved the first "golden visa" worth $1 million, providing a Green Card. This was announced by US Trade Minister Howard Lutnik.
Recently, they (the administration of the President of the United States - ed.) approved the application of only one person, and there are hundreds in line. This is a new program, they have just launched it and wanted to make sure everything was done ideally, - said Howard Lutnik (quote by Reuters).
He did not specify the identity of the first owner of the "golden card". According to the minister, the issuance of such a visa is accompanied by a "thorough check".
Donald Trump signed a decree on the creation of a visa program "Golden Card" in September 2025. A visa can be obtained by foreigners who have invested $1 million individually or $2 million if the financial contribution is made by a corporation on behalf of an individual. The US authorities also plan to launch "platinum visas" worth $5 million.
In December, a special portal for submitting applications for obtaining a residence permit in the US under the "Golden Card" program started working. Now foreigners can apply only for a "golden visa" for $1 million. In the "platinum visa" section for $5 million, it is said that it will be launched soon.
Commenting on plans to introduce "golden cards" in the US, Donald Trump suggested in February that Russian businessmen could obtain them. Initially, the President of the US spoke only about one variant of such a visa worth $5 million. In mid-March, Howard Lutnik said that Donald Trump expects that the "golden visa" will be acquired by 1 million people, i.e. for a total amount of $5 trillion. The proceeds from the sale of "golden visas" will be directed to reducing the budget deficit, he clarified then.
