U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled the first “gold card” as a vehicle for wealthy global citizens to live and work in the U.S. just by paying $5 million.
What is the gold card?
The gold card gives a person green card privileges and opens up opportunities for them to become an American citizen, Trump said in February.
“It’s going to give you green card privileges plus it’s going to be a route to (American) citizenship, and wealthy people would be coming into our country by buying this card,” Trump said, as reported by Reuters.
Traditionally, the green card has been a desirable document for many foreigners as it guarantees permanent residential status in the U.S.
Acquiring the green card, however, is a complicated process that can last up to years.
With the gold card, the process of becoming an American resident will be simplified, and the money collected from its sale will be help reduce the national debt.
Who are eligible?
“People with money” can qualify for the gold visa, Trump said in February, without revealing any specific job-creation requirements.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has confirmed that buyers will undergo a vetting process to ensure they are “wonderful, world class global citizens.”
Lutnick previously claimed that more than 1,000 gold cards had been sold and that over 37 million people globally have the means to buy one.
Source: Vnexpress
