Months after announcing that wealthy foreigners can pay $1 million to get a fast-tracked US visa, Donald Trump’s lucrative immigration plan isn’t nearly as popular as he thought.
The ‘Trump Gold Card’ is a US visa awarded to those who ‘provide a substantial benefit’ to the country, according to the scheme’s official website.
It promises US residency in ‘record time’ once a $1 million fee is paid, which is used as evidence to show that the individual will substantially benefit the US.
To apply, applicants must also pay a nonrefundable $15,000 Department of Homeland Security processing fee.
A new court filing has revealed that just 338 people have applied to the expensive visa programme since it was announced.
Out of the 338 who applied, only 165 have paid the $15,000 processing fee – meaning only $5,070,000 has been made so far, despite officials saying it would generate ‘significant revenue’.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who first announced the gold card, told lawmakers in late April that one person had been approved, with ‘hundreds’ in the queue.
The $1,000,000 fee is set to ensure that applicants have ‘extraordinary ability’ or ‘national interest’.
The scheme’s official government website has posted a picture of the card – featuring a glowering Trump with the Statue of Liberty behind him.
Other fees to the US Department of State may be necessary depending on circumstances, the site states.
Businesses can also get a shiny gold card for $2 million.
The ‘Trump Corporate Gold Card’ lets companies receive US residency for their employees.
The ‘Corporate Gold Card’ allows a business to transfer access from one employee and grant it to another for a 5% fee.
A $5 million Trump Platinum Card is also ‘coming soon’, according to the official website.
Holders will be able to spend up to 270 days in the US without being subject to US taxes on non-US income.
However, the scheme has faced criticism since it was announced, with some Democrats saying it would unfairly favour wealthy individuals due to its high cost.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.