WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers, while also rolling out a $1 million “gold card” visa offering a path to U.S. citizenship for wealthy individuals. The moves face strong criticism and are expected to draw legal challenges, with opponents arguing Trump is bypassing Congress.
What’s changing?
The new policy would drastically increase visa costs:
- H-1B skilled worker visas → $100,000 annually (up from $215)
- Investor visas → $10,000–$20,000 annually → now $1 million for individuals, $2 million for companies
- “Trump Platinum Card” visa → $5 million, allowing foreigners up to 270 days in the U.S. without being taxed on foreign income
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said companies will likely issue far fewer H-1Bs, as “it’s just not economic anymore.”
Why it matters
The H-1B program allows 85,000 skilled foreign workers into the U.S. each year, filling roles in technology and engineering that companies struggle to staff domestically. Major beneficiaries include Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Google, and Tata Consultancy.
Critics say the program often undercuts U.S. wages, while supporters warn Trump’s changes could stifle innovation. Doug Rand, a former U.S. immigration official, blasted the move as “ludicrously lawless” and “fan service for immigration restrictionists.”
Industry and political reactions
- Supporters: Groups like U.S. Tech Workers praised the move as a step toward protecting American jobs.
- Critics: Tech leaders and economists warn it will push global talent away from the U.S. Venture capitalist Deedy Das said it risks “cutting out the best talent” and damaging America’s competitiveness.
- Democrats: Indian-American candidate Nick Pyati accused Trump of imposing a “tariff on talent” that will hurt economic growth.
Background
H-1B visas have long been controversial. While meant for high-demand roles, they are frequently used by outsourcing firms to hire workers from India at lower wages, critics argue. First Lady Melania Trump herself entered the U.S. on an H-1B visa in 1996 as a model.
Last year, U.S. authorities cracked down on “gaming the system” by companies submitting multiple applications, leading to a 40% drop in lottery bids.
The bottom line
If upheld, Trump’s new visa rules would represent the biggest overhaul of the H-1B system in decades, reshaping the flow of tech talent into the U.S. and raising steep new barriers for foreign workers.
