Trump signs proclamation adding $100K annual fee for H-1B visa applications
5 hours ago
- #H-1B visas
- #Trump administration
- #immigration policy
- President Donald Trump signed a proclamation introducing a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visa applications, a significant increase from the previous $215 fee.
- A new 'gold card' visa was announced, costing $1 million for individuals and $2 million for companies, offering a pathway to U.S. citizenship.
- A 'platinum card' visa was also introduced for $5 million, allowing up to 270 days in the U.S. without taxation on non-U.S. income.
- The changes aim to reduce the number of H-1B visas issued, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stating it may no longer be economically viable for many companies.
- Critics argue the H-1B program often undercuts U.S. wages, with visas frequently going to entry-level jobs rather than specialized senior roles.
- Tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, and Google, major recipients of H-1B visas, did not immediately comment on the changes.
- The new policies face legal challenges, with critics calling the fee increase 'ludicrously lawless' and accusing Trump of sidestepping Congress.
- The H-1B visa lottery system saw a 40% drop in applications in 2024, attributed to efforts against fraudulent multiple submissions.
- Labor groups advocate for awarding visas based on higher wages rather than a random lottery, a reform Trump previously supported.