On Friday, Trump signed a proclamation slapping a staggering $100,000 one-time fee on new H-1B visa petitions, while rolling out pricey "gold card" and "Trump Platinum Card" schemes for wealthy individuals and businesses seeking citizenship paths or extended U.S. stays, Fox Business reported.
This hefty fee, set to kick in during the next lottery cycle, targets only new H-1B applications—renewals and current holders are off the hook.
Even better, H-1B visa holders can still leave and re-enter the country without shelling out extra, as confirmed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who noted their travel rights remain unchanged.
The goal? Discourage companies from flooding the system with foreign labor while American workers, especially in tech, face unemployment rates as high as 6.1% for computer science grads and 7.5% for computer engineering grads, per the administration’s own data.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick put it bluntly, saying companies must now pay the government first, making it less economical to prioritize foreign hires over homegrown talent. Well, turns out actions have consequences, and Big Tech might finally feel the pinch.
Alongside the H-1B shakeup, Trump introduced a "gold card" program, offering a citizenship pathway for wealthy individuals at $1 million a pop, or $2 million for businesses sponsoring employees.
No extra charge if a company swaps the sponsored worker, which is a small mercy in this high-stakes game. Then there’s the "Trump Platinum Card"—yours for a cool $5 million—letting holders stay up to 270 days in the U.S. without taxes on foreign income.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers hailed this as a win for American workers, arguing it curbs system abuse and protects businesses genuinely needing skilled talent. But let’s be real—when did a million-dollar price tag ever scream “fairness”?
The H-1B visa, requiring at least a bachelor’s degree, has long been a lightning rod in immigration debates, with critics claiming it’s a tool for hiring cheaper labor over qualified Americans.
The White House didn’t hold back, warning that the program discourages young Americans from pursuing STEM careers, posing risks to national security. With IT workers on H-1B visas jumping from 32% in 2003 to over 65% recently, the numbers paint a troubling picture.
India’s tech sector, heavily reliant on H-1B talent, is bracing for impact, with its Ministry of External Affairs stressing the mutual benefits of skilled worker exchanges. Yet, one wonders if “mutual” holds up when fees skyrocket overnight.
Companies like Amazon are sounding alarms, issuing internal guidance urging H-1B holders in the U.S. to stay put and advising those abroad, including H-4 visa spouses, to return swiftly.
JPMorgan, meanwhile, has employees on edge, with legal advisors at Ogletree Deakins cautioning against international travel until clearer government guidance emerges. Neither Amazon, Microsoft, nor JPMorgan offered public comments when approached by FOX Business, leaving many questions unanswered.
Critics like Deedy Das of Menlo Ventures warn this could deter global talent from choosing the U.S., stunting innovation and economic growth. While protecting American jobs is priority one, slamming the door on the world’s brightest minds might just be cutting off our nose to spite our face.
