US President Donald Trump on Friday signed a proclamation imposing a US$100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications, a move his administration said was aimed at curbing what it described as abuses of the program.
The H-1B visa, widely used by technology companies and universities to hire highly skilled foreign workers, previously carried application and processing costs in the hundreds to low thousands of dollars. The sharp increase marks one of the most sweeping changes to the legal immigration system in decades.
The proclamation directs the Departments of State, Homeland Security and Labor to enforce the new fee, with employers required to show proof of payment for each petition. Noncompliance could lead to visa denials or workers being barred from entry. Limited exemptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis if deemed in the national interest.
Administration officials said the measure is intended to discourage employers from overusing the program and to ensure that foreign workers are only hired when their skills are in high demand. “Companies that truly need the best and brightest will continue to bring them here — but only if they are willing to invest significantly,” a senior White House official said.
Critics, including immigration advocates and business leaders, warned that the steep fee could make it impossible for smaller firms and startups to hire foreign talent, potentially driving investment and innovation overseas. Legal experts also questioned whether the president has the authority to unilaterally impose such costs without congressional approval.
The administration also announced new options for wealthy applicants, including a so-called “Gold Card” visa at US$1 million and a “Platinum Card” at US$5 million, both of which would offer pathways to permanent residency.
The changes come as Trump continues to emphasize a hard-line immigration agenda in his second term, expanding restrictions not only on illegal immigration but also on legal pathways that for decades have drawn skilled workers to the United States. (Newswire)