Obtaining U.S. visas for skilled workers made more difficult, Trump sets annual fee at $100,000
Washington (Web News)
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order under which H-1B visas (for skilled foreign workers) will now require an annual fee of $100,000. According to media reports, President Trump also announced the introduction of a “Gold Card Visa” costing $1 million.
While signing the order in the Oval Office, he told journalists: “The important thing is that we are going to have great people coming, and they will pay.”
The H-1B visa allows companies to sponsor foreign workers with specialized skills—such as scientists, engineers, and computer programmers. Under this visa, these workers can initially work in the United States for three years, extendable up to six years. The U.S. issues 85,000 H-1B visas annually through a lottery system, of which nearly three-quarters go to applicants from India. Large technology companies rely heavily on Indian workers who either move to the U.S. or work between both countries.
Former Trump ally Elon Musk, along with other tech entrepreneurs, had warned critics targeting H-1B visas, saying that the U.S. does not have enough local talent to fill key jobs in the technology sector. In the Oval Office, the U.S. President said the tech industry would not oppose this measure. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also stated that all major companies are in agreement with the decision.
According to the President’s order, starting Sunday, individuals seeking entry into the country will need to pay this fee. In recent years, applications for H-1B visas have risen sharply. During Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration in 2022, record approvals were granted, whereas during Trump’s first White House term in 2018, large numbers of such visas were rejected.
President Trump also announced that he would begin selling the “Gold Card Visa,” which after vetting will provide a path to U.S. citizenship for $1 million. For companies sponsoring an employee, the cost will be $2 million.