Only one visa issued under US 'Gold Card' program so far

Kathmandu. Only one person has been granted a visa under the 'Gold Card' visa program implemented in the United States. US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick provided this information on Thursday.

This program was launched by US President Donald Trump in December. Under this, foreign citizens can pay $15,000 to expedite the application process.

Following a rigorous vetting process, those who contribute $1 million can obtain permanent residency, similar to a green card. This allows them to live and work in the United States. According to Lutnick, hundreds of applicants are currently in the process, but as the program is new, it is being implemented cautiously. "One person has recently been approved, and hundreds of others are in the process," he stated during a congressional hearing.

Previously, he had mentioned that about 10,000 people had already completed initial registration, and it is expected that thousands of Gold Cards will be sold in the future. According to him, the program aims to generate billions of dollars in revenue. Although this plan was introduced with the objective of attracting foreign investment, debates regarding its effectiveness and accessibility are still ongoing.