Golden Gateway: Trump's US Gold Card Sparks Surge in Indian Applicants

In a dramatic shift in US immigration policy, President Donald Trump has unveiled the Gold Card visa program, offering fast-track residency for high-net-worth individuals. This announcement comes on the heels of a steep hike in H-1B visa fees, triggering a wave of interest among Indian professionals seeking alternative routes to the American dream.

Key highlights of the Gold Card program:

1. The Gold Card requires a non-refundable one-time contribution of 1 million dollars to the US Treasury  
2. Corporate sponsorships are available at 2 million dollars per employee  
3. The card offers permanent residency and replaces EB-1 and EB-2 visa categories  
4. A Platinum Card, priced at 5 million dollars, is under consideration and would offer tax exemptions on foreign income  

Impact on Indian applicants:

- Immigration consultancies report a 40 percent rise in Gold Card inquiries, especially from mid-career tech professionals in their 30s and 40s  
- The surge follows the H-1B fee hike to 100,000 dollars, up from the previous range of 2,000 to 5,000 dollars  
- India, which accounts for over 70 percent of H-1B beneficiaries, is among the hardest hit by the fee revision  

Mixed reactions:

- While some law firms report high interest, others note hesitation due to the steep financial commitment  
- Official figures are pending, but US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claims over 250,000 expressions of interest  

The Gold Card initiative aims to attract top-tier talent and inject billions into American commerce, reshaping the landscape of skilled immigration.

Sources: Times of India, Business Today, USA Today