WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has launched a new website offering applications for a so-called “gold card,” an expedited US residency visa aimed at wealthy foreigners willing to pay at least $1 million.
Pakistani applicants, like others, will have to submit a non-refundable processing fee of $15,000 before the Department of Homeland Security begins vetting their documents.
According to the portal, successful candidates will then pay $1 million to secure “fast-track” permanent residency. The card displayed on the site carries Donald Trump’s portrait, an American flag in the background, and the title “Trump Gold Card.”
Businesses abroad, including firms in Pakistan, can also apply for a “corporate gold card” to sponsor employees. Companies will deposit a $15,000 processing fee plus $2 million for every worker they want to send.
The initiative has been under discussion for months. Trump signed an executive order in September to formally set up the scheme, pitching it as a plan to bring in “entrepreneurs, investors and high-net-worth professionals” while boosting US revenue.
The website also introduces a proposed “platinum card.” This premium option would let foreign nationals stay in the US for up to 270 days a year without paying American taxes on overseas income.
The fee for this tier is set at $5 million, besides the $15,000 application charge. A wait list has already opened, with officials warning that the cost may rise.
The administration says gold card holders will receive legal status under the EB-1 or EB-2 visa categories, depending on availability.
While most applications are expected to be cleared within weeks, individuals from a few countries may face waits of up to a year.
Investor-based immigration models are already common in many countries, including the UK, Spain, Canada, Malta and Australia and are often used by affluent Pakistanis seeking long-term residency abroad.
