Trump announces $100,000 fee for H-1B US visa

United States President, Donald Trump, on Friday announced a sweeping change to the H-1B visa programme, signing a proclamation that attaches a new $100,000 annual fee to applications.

The move is the latest step in his administration’s effort to tighten immigration rules.

The H-1B visa, a three-year permit that allows highly skilled foreign professionals to work in the United States, has long been favored by the tech sector. Companies such as Amazon, Microsoft and Meta rely on it to recruit workers, with India and China producing the bulk of applicants. In 2025, more than 70% of approved visas went to Indian nationals.

Each year, only 85,000 visas are made available through two categories. Currently, applicants pay a small fee to enter a lottery system, followed by another payment if their application is selected. Employers generally cover those costs.

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Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the hefty new fee is designed to push companies toward hiring Americans instead.”All of the big companies are on board,” Lutnick said. “We’ve talked to them.”
He added: “If you’re going to train somebody, you’re going to train one of the recent graduates from one of the great universities across our land. Train Americans. Stop bringing in people to take our jobs.”

Trump echoed the message from the Oval Office: “We need workers. We need great workers, and this pretty much ensures that that’s what’s going to happen.”

Alongside the new fee, Trump also introduced a $1 million “Trump Gold Card” visa, offering a fast-tracked route to U.S. citizenship. Companies can sponsor individuals at a higher rate of $2 million.

The announcement sparked debate across the tech industry. Critics warn that restricting skilled foreign workers could cost companies billions and erode America’s competitive edge in innovation. Others argue that the visa system has been exploited by firms seeking cheaper labor and is in need of reform.

It remains unclear when the new fee will take effect—or whether it will face legal challenges. Traditionally, Congress determines visa costs after lengthy debate. According to CBS News, current fees range from $1,700 to more than $4,000.

Government data shows Amazon and its AWS division led approvals in 2025 with 12,000 visas, followed by Microsoft and Meta with 5,000 each.

Despite concerns, Trump insisted the industry would embrace the change. “I think tech companies will be very happy,” he said.