The Golden Visa programme by President Donald Trump has been rolled out for everyone to apply. It was announced a few months back and is a process that fast-tracks the US residency for foreigners with some millions to spare.
Table of Contents
What is the Cost for the Golden Visa Programme
First, there is a non-refundable processing fee of $15,000 that will go directly to the Department of Homeland Security. This amount will be used to run background checks and security screening. So consider it a fee to just look at your application.
Once you pass through all the screening and background checks. You’ll need to pay the US Treasury $1 million, which will prove you are bringing something to the table.
Get through all that, and you are looking at lawful permanent resident status through existing visa categories like EB-1 or EB-2. It’s the equivalent of a Green Card.
Who is this Program Designed For
The Golden Visa programme is designed mainly for investors, entrepreneurs, and people with specialized skills. As there are no compulsory requirements for education or income beyond the usual admissibility standards, and having a million dollars ready to go.
If you’re not a US citizen but you qualify for permanent residency and can pass the admissibility bar, you are in the running.
There is a corporate version as well. Where corporates can sponsor foreign employees by paying the same $15,000 fee per person, but the contribution jumps to $2 million once the employee has been vetted. The requirement for background and screening remains the same.
How to apply for the Golden Visa Programme
The application process is pretty straightforward. You need to go to the official website and submit your information with the $15,000 fees. DHS does their homework with background checks, and if you come out clean, then you just need to submit the $1 million fees.
The whole review will wrap up in a matter of weeks, then you do a visa interview and go through the standard consular procedures or adjustment of status.
Now, here’s where things get messy. Trump’s been hammering down on illegal immigration, right? But this Gold Card programme is catching heat for essentially creating a VIP lane for the wealthy. Critics say it’s building a two-tier system where money talks louder than everything else. There’s also the legal side of things.
The Controversy
Technically, only Congress has the power to create or change visa categories. The Gold Card seems to be sidestepping that by using existing classifications, but how it actually fits into traditional immigration law is anyone’s guess at this point. Opponents argue it chips away at established principles and puts ultra-rich applicants ahead of everyone else who’s been waiting their turn through legitimate channels.
Also, there is a word going around that Trump is planning to launch a Platinum Card for $5 million. The Platinum Card will allow you to spend up to 270 days a year in the US without getting hit with US taxes on income you make outside the country. But take this one with a pinch of salt for the time being.
