Fri Sep 19 22:06:02 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

President Trump has signed a proclamation implementing a $100,000 application fee for companies seeking H-1B visas. This measure, intended to attract only the “most rarified” talent, will drastically alter the existing lottery-based system which has long benefited the technology sector. Critics of the H-1B program argue it has been used to depress wages, while supporters argue it brings crucial talent and gives the US a competitive edge. The tech industry, particularly companies like Amazon, Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Apple, and Google, and Indian workers, who make up the majority of H-1B recipients, will be most affected by the change. A “gold card” visa program, allowing individuals to expedite immigration for $1 million, was also announced.

**News Article:**

**Trump Administration Slaps $100,000 Fee on H-1B Visas, Sending Shockwaves Through Tech Industry**

**Washington, D.C. –** In a move set to dramatically reshape the landscape of high-skilled immigration, President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 application fee on companies seeking to sponsor workers under the H-1B visa program. The move, unveiled during an Oval Office event, is intended to ensure companies sponsor only workers with “rarified skill sets,” according to administration officials.

The H-1B visa program, established in 1990, is crucial for industries, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, seeking to fill specialized roles. Currently, visas are awarded via a lottery system to applicants with bachelor’s degrees or higher. This new fee will likely dismantle the established structure.

The tech sector, a major beneficiary of the H-1B program, is bracing for significant impact. Companies like Amazon, Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Apple, and Google are among the top recipients of these visas.

Critics have long argued that companies abuse the H-1B program by using it to lower wages and weaken labor protections. However, supporters maintain that the program attracts top talent, giving the U.S. a critical competitive edge.

The proclamation also included the announcement of a separate “gold card” visa, allowing individuals to expedite immigration by paying a $1 million fee.

The changes are part of a broader Trump administration effort to tighten immigration policies and prioritize domestic labor. Previous measures have targeted international students and imposed travel bans from several countries.

India accounts for the majority (71 percent) of H-1B beneficiaries, so this change is going to affect them the most.

The H-1B visas are typically approved for three to six years. The long-term consequences of this new fee structure on the U.S. economy and its ability to attract global talent remain to be seen.

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