In a significant move to overhaul the nation’s immigration system, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to impose a new $100,000 application fee for H-1B visas.
This measure, which takes effect immediately, aims to incentivize companies to hire American workers while ensuring that the program is used to bring in only the most highly skilled foreign professionals.
A new era for H-1B visas and a “Gold Card” pathway
The H-1B visa, which is valid for three years and can be renewed for another three, is widely used by industries, particularly the tech sector.
This substantial fee increase is a sharp departure from previous application costs, which ranged from $1,700 to $4,500.
Officials say the fee structure is still being finalized, with discussions about whether the total cost will be charged upfront or in annual payments.
The move has sparked debate, with critics arguing it could hurt American competitiveness by making it harder to recruit top global talent.
The “Gold Card” for high earners
In a separate action, Trump has created a new “gold card” immigration pathway designed to attract wealthy foreigners.
This program will fast-track visas for individuals who pay the US $1 million, while a company can pay $2 million to sponsor a foreign worker.
According to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, this initiative is a direct response to what he calls the “bottom quartile” of workers entering the country under existing systems.
The “gold card” is intended to draw in “extraordinary people at the very top” to benefit the American economy.
The move represents a major shift in immigration policy, focusing on high earners and entrepreneurs as the ideal candidates for legal entry.
Bloomberg: Pakistan ranks 8th globally in H-1B visa applications
Between 2020 and 2023, Indian’s topped H-1B visa approvals, making up about 73.7% of the total, according to Bloomberg data.
China ranked second with 16%, while Canada followed in third place with around 3%.
Taiwan and South Korea each received about 1.3%, and Mexico accounted for 1.2%.
Meanwhile, Nepal, Brazil, Pakistan, and the Philippines each held a share of roughly 0.8%.
Impact on the tech industry
The new H-1B fee will hit the tech industry especially hard, as it’s the sector most reliant on these visas to fill specialized roles.
With 65,000 H-1B visas granted annually plus an additional 20,000 for those with advanced US degrees the program has often operated under a lottery system due to high demand.
This new fee could drastically reduce the number of applications, forcing companies to reconsider their hiring strategies.
While the administration argues it will create more opportunities for American workers, economists have warned that restricting access to foreign talent could hinder innovation and economic growth.
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