President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation enforcing a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications, up from the previous $215 fee, targeting highly skilled foreign workers in tech and other specialised sectors. The aim is to limit visa issuance to extraordinarily skilled individuals while deterring companies from using foreign workers as cheaper replacements for American employees.
The move also includes a $1 million “gold card” visa with a path to US citizenship for wealthy investors. The administration insists the policy will protect American jobs, but industry experts and immigration advocates warn it could severely reduce access to essential global talent. The policy faces possible legal challenges and widespread criticism.
Sharp Increase in Visa Fees to Curb Misuse
The new $100,000 fee drastically raises the cost of securing an H-1B visa, which is required by companies for bringing in workers with at least a bachelor’s degree for roles that are hard to fill domestically. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters that the move was designed to ensure employers only bring in the most exceptional talents, stating, “If you have a very sophisticated engineer and you want to bring them in… then you can pay $100,000 a year for your H-1B visa.”
He added that it would encourage companies to train American workers instead. The fee hike is expected to dramatically reduce the number of H-1B visas issued, which currently has an annual cap of 85,000. Big tech firms like Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Google, and Meta have been among the largest users of the program.
New “Gold Card” and Investor Visa Reforms
In addition to the H-1B fee increase, Trump introduced a $1 million “gold card” visa providing wealthy individuals a route to US citizenship after vetting, with a higher $5 million “platinum card” allowing prolonged stays in the US without tax on foreign income.
These new visa categories aim to replace existing investment-based visas, which have been priced far lower in the past. Lutnick mentioned that while the president could implement the gold card and H-1B fee changes on his authority, the platinum card requires congressional approval. The policy shifts indicate a dual focus on immigration reform: restricting traditional work visas while courting wealthy investors.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
While protecting local jobs is a legitimate concern, such steep fee increases and restrictive policies risk undermining the inclusive spirit essential for innovation and progress in a globalised world. The H-1B visa program, despite criticism, has historically supported economic growth by filling skill gaps with foreign talent when Americans are unavailable or insufficient in certain fields.
Balanced reforms should focus on transparency and fairness rather than barriers that could alienate valuable global contributors. This approach encourages coexistence and mutual benefit.
