Trump signs proclamation imposing $100K annual fee for H-1B visa applications

[dalton99a]

https://apnews.com/article/h1b-visa-trump-immigration-8d39699d0b2de3d90936f8076357254e

Trump signs proclamation imposing $100K annual fee for H-1B visa applications
By BARBARA ORTUTAY and SEUNG MIN KIM
Updated 5:38 PM CDT, September 19, 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday signed a proclamation that will require a new annual $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, among other changes to the program for highly skilled foreign workers that has come under scrutiny by the administration.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the fee will be $100,000 per year and added that “all big companies” are on board.

H-1B visas are meant to bring the best and brightest foreigners for high-skilled jobs that tech companies find difficult to fill with qualified U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The program instead has turned into a pipeline for overseas workers who are often willing to work for as little as $60,000 annually. That is far less than $100,000-plus salaries typically paid to U.S. technology workers.

Representatives for the biggest tech companies, including Amazon, Apple, Google and Meta, did not immediately respond to messages for comment on Friday. Microsoft declined to comment.

Trump also announced he will start selling a “gold card” visa with a potential pathway to U.S. citizenship. The “Trump Gold Card” will be available for a processing fee and a $1 million contribution after vetting. For companies, it will cost $2 million. The “Trump Platinum Card,” meanwhile, will be available for a $5 million contribution and will allow foreigners to spend up to 270 days in the U.S. without being subject to U.S. taxes on non-U.S. income. Trump announced a $5 million gold card in February to replace an existing investor visa — this is now the platinum card.

...

[msongs]

1. what's his cut? nt

[Johonny]

2. Tech bros kissed his ass, and he kicked them in

The nuts. Beautiful.

[WarGamer]

3. Worked in BioPharma for 20+ years.

The program has been abused for many years... American potential employees cost too much... so they will hire a legal immigrant on the H-1B for half the salary.

If the company truly needs the immigrant worker because their skill set is exceptional, then the 100k is no big deal for them.

[C_U_L8R]

4. More insane tariffs to pass along to citizens

We’ll be lucky to make it through Trump and still afford shoes and underwear.

[pinkstarburst]

5. Hate to say it, this is a good change. H1Bs are abused like crazy

and used to get rid of American workers in high paying positions (tech, especially) so companies can hire immigrants at a fraction of the price, and then mistreat them (make them work for very low wages compared to their US counterparts, make them work longer hours, and they can't complain or they'll get their visa canceled.) It's bad for the US workers who are getting fired and told to train their H1B replacements, and it's bad for the immigrant workers. Should be greatly limited to only positions companies absolutely cannot fill and right now, they just use to to fire American workers they don't want to pay and hire Indian workers and 1/3 the salary.