President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping change to the H-1B visa program, imposing a $100,000 annual fee on both new applications and renewals. The measure is aimed at curbing reliance on foreign workers and encouraging companies to hire more American graduates, particularly in STEM fields.
The administration also introduced a new “Gold Card” visa option, offering individuals a fast-track to U.S. residency for $1 million, while corporate sponsors would pay $2 million. Officials argue these changes will help safeguard wages and create more opportunities for American workers.
Critics warn the steep H-1B fee could shut out smaller companies and highly skilled foreign professionals, reshaping access to the program. The policy marks one of the most significant overhauls of U.S. work-visa rules in recent years.