Saturday, March 29, 2025
In a sweeping move that could reshape U.S. immigration policy, President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order mandating a $100,000 (around ₹90 lakh) application fee for H-1B visas. The administration argued that the step will reduce overuse of the program and push companies to prioritize hiring American workers, while still leaving a pathway open for highly skilled foreign professionals.
“America needs the best workers, and this measure ensures we get them,” Trump said in a statement from the Oval Office. “It will encourage companies to hire U.S. citizens first, but in critical fields, the door will remain open for top foreign talent.”
Alongside the fee hike, Trump also unveiled a new “Gold Card” immigration route. Under this scheme, foreign nationals can fast-track their visa process by paying $1 million (approx. ₹9 crore). Companies sponsoring foreign employees will be able to expedite applications by paying $2 million (approx. ₹18 crore).
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended the program, saying:
“The current green card process brings in low-level workers. The Gold Card is designed to attract only elite, exceptional individuals.”
Each year, the U.S. issues 65,000 H-1B visas, with an additional 20,000 reserved for graduates of American universities. The program is most heavily used by the technology sector, with companies like Google and Microsoft long arguing that the domestic workforce cannot meet their demand for highly trained specialists.
Analysts believe the sharp fee increase will significantly raise costs for employers, with the tech industry expected to be hit hardest.
Trump’s position on H-1B visas has fluctuated over the years. During his 2016 campaign, he opposed giving American jobs to foreign workers, and in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, his administration imposed restrictions on visa issuance.
By the 2024 election cycle, however, he signaled a softer tone, suggesting he favored granting legal status to foreign students graduating from U.S. universities. In December 2024, he told the New York Post: “I’ve been a supporter of H-1B visas, and I continue to support them.”
India remains the largest source of H-1B visa holders. The new $100,000 fee structure could directly affect Indian IT companies that rely heavily on this program, as well as thousands of Indian professionals who apply for the visa each year. The steep costs may force companies to scale back applications and reconsider hiring strategies, potentially reshaping the flow of Indian talent into the U.S. tech industry.
