US President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring H-1B visa applicants to pay $100,000. The order cites “abuse” of the system and denies entry unless the full fee is paid.
Critics argue the H-1B programme threatens American jobs. Supporters, including billionaire Elon Musk, say it allows the US to attract top global talent.
Gold card offers fast-track for wealthy immigrants
Trump also launched a “gold card” programme to speed up visas for selected immigrants. Entry fees begin at £1m.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick joined Trump in the Oval Office on Friday. “A hundred thousand dollars a year for H1-B visas, and major companies are on board,” he said. “Train graduates from American universities. Stop bringing in workers to take our jobs.”
Caps and costs of the H-1B programme
Since 2004, the H-1B system has limited applications to 85,000 per year. Until now, administrative fees totaled around $1,500.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services reported applications for the next fiscal year fell to 359,000, a four-year low.
Amazon received the most approvals last year, followed by Tata, Microsoft, Meta, Apple and Google.
Small businesses warn of heavy impact
Immigration lawyer Tahmina Watson said the fee could devastate small firms and start-ups. “Almost everyone’s going to be priced out,” she said. “This $100,000 entry cost will destroy many.”
She noted that companies usually sponsor foreign workers only when they cannot find qualified Americans.
Experts caution on US competitiveness
Jorge Lopez, chair of the immigration and mobility practice at Littler Mendelson PC, criticised the measure. He warned it “will slow America’s competitiveness in tech and other industries.”
Some companies may consider relocating abroad, though such moves remain difficult.
Trump’s evolving stance on visas
The H-1B debate has long divided Trump’s allies. Some supported the programme, while critics like Steve Bannon opposed it.
In January, Trump said he understood both sides of the argument. During his campaign, he proposed green cards for graduates. “You need a pool of people for companies,” he told the All-In Podcast. “You must recruit and keep them.”
Earlier restrictions under Trump
In 2017, Trump signed an order tightening scrutiny of H-1B applications to prevent fraud.
Rejection rates rose to 24% in 2018. Under Barack Obama, they ranged from 5% to 8%, and under Joe Biden, from 2% to 4%.
Tech firms strongly opposed the restrictions, warning they threatened growth and innovation.
India faces major disruption
The new fee has global consequences. India, the largest source of H-1B applicants, expects significant disruption.
Analysts warn the changes could reshape international hiring and redirect investment away from the United States.
