Trump Hikes H-1B Visa Fee to $100,000, Launches $1M ‘Gold Card’ Residency Program
Washington, D.C. — In a sweeping move set to reshape U.S. immigration and the tech workforce, President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation raising the H-1B visa application fee to $100,000. The unprecedented increase, announced Friday, has already sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley and beyond.
The order, signed in the Oval Office, also unveiled a controversial new “Gold Card” residency program, offering expedited U.S. residency for individuals who pay $1 million, or for corporations willing to pay $2 million on behalf of candidates.
A Game-Changer for Tech and Immigration
H-1B visas, capped at 85,000 per year, are vital to America’s tech ecosystem, especially for Indian engineers, programmers, and scientists who make up roughly three-quarters of recipients. Large tech firms, including those led by Indian-origin CEOs, depend heavily on the program to fill critical talent gaps.
But with Trump’s latest proclamation, the cost of bringing foreign talent could skyrocket. Critics argue this will deter innovation, while Trump insists it will “bring in great people — and they’re going to be paying.”
Industry Backlash Already Brewing
Entrepreneurs and executives are sounding alarms. Elon Musk and other tech leaders have long argued that the U.S. doesn’t produce enough homegrown tech workers to meet demand.
“This is going to cripple startups and slow down innovation,” one Silicon Valley founder told reporters, warning that legal challenges are inevitable.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who joined Trump at the signing, defended the move: “All the big companies are on board.”
Legal and Political Implications
Trump has repeatedly targeted the H-1B program since his first term, but previous attempts to restrict it were struck down in court. This version, centered on fees, may still face similar challenges.
The proclamation states the policy begins Sunday and will last one year, though Trump may extend it. Homeland Security will have discretion to exempt individuals, companies, or even entire industries from the fee hike.
Immigration Contrast: Biden vs. Trump
Under former President Joe Biden, H-1B approvals peaked in 2022, while Trump’s first term saw the highest rejection rates in 2018. In 2024 alone, the U.S. approved nearly 400,000 H-1B visas, two-thirds being renewals.
With the $1M Gold Card pathway, Trump is simultaneously restricting skilled worker visas while opening doors for the ultra-wealthy, sparking fierce debate about fairness in U.S. immigration policy.
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