Trump Unveils 'Trump Gold Card': A Path to US Residency for Top Foreign Grads

{ "title": "Trump Unveils 'Trump Gold Card': A Path to US Residency for Top Foreign Grads", "article": "US President Donald Trump has launched a new visa programme, the 'Trump Gold Card', aimed at retaining top foreign graduates in the country. The initiative allows individuals and companies to hire and keep high-skilled foreign talent, providing a pathway to US citizenship. Under the programme, individuals can obtain expedited US residency by paying a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee and making a $1 million "gift" to the US government. A corporate version of the card will allow companies to sponsor foreign employees for a $2 million gift. The programme, launched through the website trumpcard.gov, promises "US residency in record time". Card holders will receive a path to citizenship after five years, provided they meet good-conduct criteria. Trump described the new visa as a "much better form of green card" that directly addresses a longstanding complaint from American tech leaders - that they cannot reliably hire top foreign graduates due to uncertain visa rules. The programme will help US companies retain global talent while raising "many billions of dollars" for federal use, according to Trump. The application process is now open, with applicants required to visit trumpcard.gov, submit an online form, pay the processing fee, undergo federal vetting, and make the required contribution upon approval. The initiative is part of Trump's push to favour "the best people" over the current green-card system. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the programme will ensure only highly qualified applicants benefit, and that both individuals and corporations will undergo "full and best vetting" to guarantee this."