Trump mandates $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications

In the United States, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on September 19, 2025, implementing a significant increase in the fees associated with H-1B visa applications, mandating a $100,000 fee for new applicants. The H-1B visa program is designed for skilled foreign workers in specialty occupations, and Trump stated that this measure aims to address the overuse of the program and encourage the training of American workers. The new fee will apply specifically to new visa applicants and will not affect existing holders, a clarification issued by the White House following initial confusion over the announcement. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick initially indicated that the fee would be an annual cost for companies; however, the White House later confirmed it would be a one-time fee applicable to new applications only. This change caused concern among many tech companies and foreign workers, with reports of anxiety surrounding the implications of this new policy, particularly affecting workers from India, who constitute a significant percentage of H-1B visa holders. Critics have voiced that this new fee could severely disrupt the lives of skilled foreign workers and negatively impact U.S. businesses dependent on this talent. Furthermore, the administration has faced criticism for implementing these changes through executive action rather than legislative processes, with voices in legal and immigration sectors predicting likely challenges against this measure. Immigration attorneys have noted that the abrupt transitions may create chaos within the current H-1B application processes. The new order also introduced a $1 million 'gold card' residency program aimed at wealthy individuals seeking a pathway to U.S. citizenship. Despite claims by Lutnick that many corporations support these changes, it is anticipated that the increase in application costs and associated fees could deter applicants and create significant financial barriers in the technology sector, which heavily relies on foreign skilled labor. The implications of these changes in policy may have long-lasting effects on the immigration landscape in the U.S.