The Trump Gold Card Visa: One Approval, Legal Challenges, and Unmet Expectations

As of April 22, 2026, only one application for the Trump "Gold Card" visa has been approved, despite earlier claims of billions in sales.

Program Status and Approval Numbers

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified to the House Appropriations Committee on April 22, 2026, that the Department of Homeland Security had approved only one "Gold Card" visa to date. Lutnick stated that "hundreds" of applications remain in the review queue, attributing the low approval count to the program's newness and a rigorous vetting process.

This approval figure contrasts sharply with a statement made by Lutnick in December 2025, in which he said the administration had "sold" $1.3 billion worth of the visas within days of applications opening.

Program Details

The Trump Gold Card program was created by executive order in September 2025. Applications opened in December 2025. The program is designed to offer a direct path to citizenship for qualified applicants.

Investment Requirements

• Individual Applicants: A minimum fee of $1 million is required.
• Business Sponsorship: Companies sponsoring employees must pay $2 million, plus additional fees.
• Platinum Card: A "platinum" version, priced at $5 million and offering special tax breaks, has been announced as forthcoming.
• Processing Fee: All applicants must pay a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee before their application is reviewed.
• Additional Government Fees: Further fees may apply depending on individual applicant circumstances.

Stated Benefits

The program's official website states that the investment fee serves as "evidence that the individual will substantially benefit the United States." The website also states that the program will grant US residency in "record time."

Legal Context and Unapproved Applicant

The program is subject to multiple lawsuits. One legal challenge argues that the program prioritizes wealth over statutory criteria for extraordinary or exceptional ability.

The identity of the single approved applicant has not been officially disclosed. Bloomberg reported in March 2026 that Jeffrey Chao, the Chinese founder of TP-Link Systems Inc., had applied for the visa. The Commerce Department is separately investigating TP-Link for national security concerns.