Trump Launches $1 Million ‘Gold Card’ Visa: New Policy Allows Companies to Retain High-Skilled Foreign Talent

In a major overhaul of U.S. immigration policy, former President Donald Trump has announced the introduction of a new “Gold Card Visa,” priced at $1 million, aimed at helping American companies retain highly skilled foreign professionals. The initiative, unveiled as part of his broader economic and workforce strategy, marks a dramatic shift from Trump’s earlier hardline immigration stance and is being seen as a bid to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in technology, research, and innovation.

Under the new framework, the Gold Card Visa will allow U.S.-based companies to sponsor foreign employees in critical sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, healthcare, engineering, and advanced manufacturing. The visa promises a faster approval process, long-term work authorization, and a clearer pathway to permanent residency. Companies will be required to pay a $1 million fee for each foreign professional they wish to retain, with the funds reportedly intended to boost national workforce development and skill-training programs for American workers.

Senior officials aligned with the proposal say the program is designed to address the chronic talent shortages faced by U.S. industries, particularly in STEM fields. “If America wants to remain the global leader in innovation, we must attract and retain the most brilliant minds,” a policy adviser said, arguing that the visa will help fill critical gaps while simultaneously funding domestic skill-building initiatives.

Critics, however, have raised concerns about the program’s high cost and potential misuse. Immigration experts warn that the visa may disproportionately benefit wealthy corporations while making it harder for smaller startups to compete for global talent. Others question whether the initiative contradicts Trump’s earlier emphasis on restricting employment-based immigration.

Despite the debate, business leaders from Silicon Valley to Wall Street have responded positively, calling the Gold Card Visa a potential “game-changer” for the American workforce. Many argue that in an era of rapid technological advancement, the ability to retain top international talent is essential to national economic security.

As the policy moves toward implementation, lawmakers and industry groups are expected to push for further clarity on eligibility, regulatory oversight, and long-term residency provisions. For now, the announcement has already sparked global interest, with thousands of skilled professionals watching closely to see whether the new visa could open a premium fast-track doorway into the United States.