"Trump Imposes $100,000 Yearly Fee on H1-B Visas, Aiming to Intensify Immigration Restrictions - 'Just for Valued Americans'"
President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation to raise the fee for H1-B visa sponsorship to $100,000 annually. This move, titled 'The Gold Card', is expected to generate hundreds of billions of dollars for the US and aim to protect American workers while providing a pathway for companies to hire "truly extraordinary people."
The new executive order applies to renewals, first-time applications, and the decision to pay the $100,000 fee is left to the companies. If a company decides not to pay the fee for an H1-B visa holder, they may be required to hire an American worker instead.
The H1-B non-immigrant visa program, considered one of the most abused visa systems in the US, is expected to significantly impact Indian technology workers who are hired by tech companies and others on H1-B visas. The visas are valid for three years and can be renewed for another three years.
The proclamation aims to ensure that the people brought into the country are highly skilled and do not replace American workers. The funds generated from the Gold Card program will be used to reduce taxes and pay down debt in the US.
To access expedited visa treatment and a path to a Green Card under the Gold Card program, individuals or corporations must pay $1 million or $2 million respectively to the US Treasury. The Gold Card program is intended to provide a new visa pathway for foreigners of extraordinary ability who are committed to supporting the United States.
The move may impact Indians on work visas in the US who are caught in a decades-long wait for Green Cards. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was present at the signing of the proclamation.
In response to the announcement, US companies such as Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and the bank JP Morgan have urged their H-1B visa employees, many of whom are from India, to remain in the US. President Trump stated that technology CEOs who hire foreign workers on H1-B visas will be happy with the new move.
The move is intended to protect American workers while providing a pathway for companies to hire "truly extraordinary people." The employment-based Green Card program historically let in 281,000 people a year, with an average earnings of $66,000 and a higher likelihood of participating in government assistance programs. The new executive order does not repeat the previous proclamation's fee increase for H1-B visa sponsorship to $100,000 annually.
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