Trump Launches ‘Gold Card Visa’ to Help International Students Secure U.S. Residency

Washington D.C.: Securing permanent residency in the U.S. has long been a major challenge for international students, often requiring years of waiting to obtain a green card. To address this, former President Donald Trump has announced the launch of the “Trump Gold Card Visa,” a program he claims offers a faster, stronger, and more reliable pathway to permanent residency.

Speaking at the White House during the launch, Trump highlighted that the new visa will allow top foreign graduates to stay in the U.S., enabling companies to retain highly skilled talent. Attendees included notable tech leaders such as IBM CEO Arvind Krishna and Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell. Trump stated that the initiative could generate billions of dollars in economic benefits for the country.

Addressing Uncertainty in the Current System

Trump noted that current immigration rules leave companies uncertain about whether top graduates from countries like India and China can remain in the U.S. after completing their studies. “Even if you graduate at the top of your class, there’s no guarantee you can stay in the country,” he said, adding that students are often forced to return home despite their skills. Companies struggle to hire and retain these graduates under the current system, a challenge Apple CEO Tim Cook has also raised.

How the Gold Card Works

Under the new program, companies can effectively “purchase” a Gold Card to sponsor top graduates from elite institutions such as Wharton, Harvard, MIT, and NYU. This card ensures that the selected graduate can remain in the U.S. permanently, providing companies with a secure long-term workforce.

Trump emphasized that the Gold Card is essentially an enhanced version of the green card. Unlike traditional green cards, which can involve waiting periods of over a decade, the Gold Card offers a faster and more certain path to permanent residency.

Cost and Implementation

Companies wishing to retain a top international graduate will need to pay $2 million per Gold Card. This mechanism allows them to secure high-caliber talent without the uncertainty and delays of the existing immigration system. Trump called the program a “gift” to the U.S., ensuring that the brightest minds can stay and contribute to the country.

The Gold Card Visa is expected to transform the U.S. approach to international student retention, providing a strong incentive for companies to invest in foreign talent while addressing long-standing bottlenecks in the green card system.