Trump Unveils ‘Gold Card’ Citizenship Plan: US Firms Can Now Hire Indian Graduates
US President Donald Trump has announced a groundbreaking initiative allowing American companies to hire Indian graduates from US universities under a new ‘gold card’ citizenship program. Unveiled on Wednesday, this plan offers a pathway to US citizenship for wealthy foreign investors willing to pay $5 million, providing a significant boost for Indian students and other international talent.
Addressing a Broken System
Trump emphasized that the current immigration system has hindered the retention of top-tier talent, particularly from India. “A person comes from India, China, Japan, or many other places, attends Harvard or the Wharton School of Business, and receives job offers—only for those offers to be withdrawn because their ability to stay in the country is uncertain,” he said.
He highlighted the economic fallout of this policy, noting that many skilled graduates forced to leave the US achieve extraordinary success elsewhere. “They return to India or their home countries, start companies, become billionaires, and employ thousands of people,” Trump explained, pointing to the opportunities the US has missed.
A Premium Path to Citizenship
The ‘gold card’ is being pitched as an elite alternative to the traditional Green Card, granting long-term residency and a clear route to citizenship. Trump presented it as a dual-purpose initiative: attracting talent while generating revenue. “If we sell a million of these, that’s $5 trillion,” he said, suggesting the funds could help pay down the national debt.
Slated to replace the EB-5 visa program—which requires a minimum investment of $1 million in job-creating businesses—the gold card initiative is expected to roll out by April, with an estimated 10 million visas initially available. “They’ll be wealthy, successful, spending a lot of money, paying taxes, and employing people. We think it’s going to be extremely successful,” Trump added.e
Gold Card vs. EB-5: What’s the Difference?
The Current EB-5 Program
Under the existing EB-5 scheme, foreign investors must invest between $800,000 and $1.05 million in US businesses and create at least 10 jobs. Even then, applicants endure a 5–7-year wait for a green card. Launched in 1990, the program has faced criticism over allegations of fraud and misuse.
The New Gold Card Visa
In contrast, the ‘gold card’ visa raises the investment threshold to $5 million—five times the EB-5 maximum—while offering a faster, simpler path to residency. Notably, it drops the job creation requirement, making it more accessible for high-net-worth individuals, though its steep price tag excludes mid-tier investors.
A Business-Driven Vision
Trump’s ‘everything’s business’ philosophy drives this shift, positioning the gold card as a transformative tool to attract wealth and talent to the US. By prioritizing high-value investors and graduates, the initiative aims to reshape America’s immigration landscape.
