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US President Donald Trump on Friday announced a new H-1B visa fee of $100,000 per application, a move that could have sweeping consequences for the technology industry, which heavily relies on skilled foreign workers.
The measure, expected to face legal challenges, was introduced alongside a $1 million “gold card” residency program that Trump first previewed months ago. Signing the orders in the Oval Office, he told reporters, “The main thing is, we’re going to have great people coming in, and they’re going to be paying.”
H-1B visas allow companies to hire skilled foreign professionals, including engineers, scientists, and programmers, to work in the US for an initial three-year period, extendable to six years. Roughly 85,000 H-1B visas are issued annually through a lottery, with Indian nationals making up nearly three-quarters of the recipients.
Major technology companies have long depended on this talent pool, as US firms often struggle to find sufficient local workers to fill specialized roles. Business leaders, including Elon Musk, have cautioned against restrictions on the program, warning that curbs could hurt innovation and growth.
Big companies ‘on board’ with new policy
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who attended the Oval Office signing, said that “all the big companies are on board” with the policy.
Trump has previously attempted to reform the H-1B program, facing setbacks in court during his first term. The newly announced H-1B visa fee forms part of his broader immigration crackdown in his second term.
According to the executive order, the fee applies to new entrants starting Sunday. The Homeland Security secretary, however, can exempt individuals, companies, or industries from the surcharge. The order is valid for one year but may be extended.
The announcement comes amid a surge in H-1B applications in recent years. Approvals peaked in 2022 under Joe Biden, while the highest rejection rate was seen in 2018 during Trump’s first presidency. In 2024, approximately 400,000 H-1B visas were approved, with two-thirds being renewals.
In addition, Trump unveiled a new residency pathway, offering expedited status for individuals paying $1 million or corporate sponsors paying $2 million. He predicted the program would be “tremendously successful.”
