Trump Imposes $100K Annual Fee on H-1B Visa, $1M Gold Card Visa/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump signed a proclamation requiring $100,000 annual fees for H-1B visas and introducing a $1 million “gold card” visa with a citizenship pathway. Supporters say the change protects U.S. workers, while critics warn it’s legally dubious and could devastate tech hiring. The move faces likely court challenges.
Trump’s H-1B Visa Proclamation – Quick Look
- $100,000 annual fee imposed on H-1B visas (up from $215).
- $1 million “Gold Card” visa introduced as pathway to U.S. citizenship.
- $5 million “Platinum Card” visa offers 270-day U.S. stays with tax exemptions.
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick: companies will now prioritize training Americans.
- Tech giants (Amazon, Google, Meta, Apple) have not commented; Microsoft declined.
- Critics, including ex-USCIS official Doug Rand, call the policy “lawless” and unconstitutional.
- Outsourcing firms like Infosys, Wipro, Tata, IBM likely hit hardest.
- Supporters see it as a way to curb abuse and protect U.S. jobs.
- Legal experts predict swift court challenges; platinum visa may require Congress.
- First Lady Melania Trump once entered the U.S. on an H-1B in 1996.
Deep Look: Trump’s New H-1B Visa Rules: $100K Annual Fee and $1M Gold Card
The changes represent some of the biggest price hikes in U.S. visa history and are expected to spark immediate legal battles, as critics argue Trump bypassed Congress to deliver a policy that could reshape the American tech workforce.
How the Fees Change the H-1B Program
- Current H-1B visa fee: $215 → will rise to $100,000 annually.
- Investor visa fee: $10,000–$20,000 → will rise sharply under new rules.
- H-1B visas allow skilled foreign workers with at least a bachelor’s degree, commonly employed in tech.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick argued the changes would shift opportunities back to American workers:
“If you’re going to train people, you’re going to train Americans,” Lutnick said. “If you need a very sophisticated engineer, then you can pay $100,000 for your H-1B visa.”
He added that far fewer than the 85,000 annual cap would likely be granted, since the costs are now “just not economic.”
The $1M “Gold Card” and $5M “Platinum Card”
Trump also announced two new investor visa options:
- Gold Card Visa ($1M) → Offers a vetted path to U.S. citizenship.
- Platinum Card Visa ($5M) → Allows foreigners to stay 270 days a year in the U.S. without paying taxes on foreign income.
For companies, sponsoring an employee through the gold card will cost $2 million. Lutnick said these new visas will replace traditional employment-based categories used by professors, scientists, artists, and athletes.
Tech Industry and Worker Reactions
- Major tech firms like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta did not respond immediately.
- Microsoft declined to comment.
- U.S. Tech Workers, an advocacy group opposing H-1Bs, called the move “the next best thing” to abolishing the program outright.
Former USCIS senior official Doug Rand blasted the policy as legally indefensible:
“This isn’t real policy — it’s fan service for immigration restrictionists. Trump gets his headlines, and inflicts a jolt of panic, and doesn’t care whether this survives first contact with the courts.”
Historical Context of H-1B Use
- H-1Bs are often distributed via lottery, with Amazon, Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Apple, and Google consistently receiving the largest shares.
- California hosts the highest number of H-1B workers.
- Critics say the program is abused by outsourcing firms like Wipro, Infosys, HCL, IBM, and Cognizant, which hire foreign workers and contract them to U.S. companies at lower rates.
- In 2024, lottery bids dropped nearly 40% after reforms blocked multiple, duplicate applications.
Why Critics Say the Move Is Risky
- Labor unions, including the AFL-CIO, argue that reforms should prioritize awarding visas to companies that pay higher wages rather than eliminating competition through pricing.
- Immigration lawyers warn the $100,000 fee could cripple U.S. tech hiring, especially for startups and mid-sized firms that rely on skilled international workers.
- Legal experts say the platinum visa would require congressional approval, making it vulnerable to lawsuits.
Bottom Line
Trump’s H-1B overhaul dramatically alters America’s approach to skilled immigration and investor visas. While restrictionist groups cheer the move, industry leaders and legal experts predict years of litigation ahead. For now, the future of foreign talent in U.S. tech — and the legality of Trump’s proclamation — remain deeply uncertain.
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