Washington, D.C. September 20, 2025 (Agencies) – President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive action imposing a $100,000 annual application fee on H-1B work visas, a move aimed at curbing what the administration describes as overuse of the program. The directive restricts entry under the H-1B category unless accompanied by the payment.
Speaking from the Oval Office, President Trump stated, “We need great workers, and this pretty much ensures that that’s what’s going to happen,” emphasizing that the measure would encourage companies to prioritize American labor while maintaining access to highly skilled foreign professionals.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick later clarified that the administration is considering whether to collect $300,000 upfront or $100,000 annually over the visa’s three-year term, plus additional vetting costs.
- New ‘Gold Card’ Immigration Pathway Announced
In a parallel order, the administration introduced a “gold card” immigration pathway, offering expedited visa processing for individuals or companies willing to pay premium fees. Foreign nationals may fast-track their entry by paying $1 million, while sponsoring firms can pay $2 million to accelerate the process for their employees.
Secretary Lutnick, who led the initiative, criticized the existing green card system, claiming it disproportionately admits lower-skilled workers. “We’re going to only take extraordinary people at the very top,” he said.
- Impact on Industry and Immigration Policy
The dual measures mark a continuation of Trump’s restrictive stance on immigration, echoing previous actions taken during his first term and the COVID-19 pandemic. While the president has previously expressed support for H-1B visas—particularly for graduates of U.S. universities—the new policy is expected to significantly affect sectors like technology, which rely heavily on foreign expertise.
Currently, the U.S. grants 65,000 H-1B visas annually, with an additional 20,000 reserved for holders of advanced degrees from American institutions. Due to high demand, the program operates on a lottery system.
The announcement has reignited debate among Trump’s supporters, especially following public endorsements of the H-1B program by entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, both of whom were tapped by Trump to lead government efficiency efforts.
As the administration finalizes payment structures and implementation timelines, stakeholders across industries are preparing for the economic and operational consequences of the new immigration framework.