Trump Imposes $100,000 Annual Fee on Skilled Worker Visa Applicants

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order introducing a $100,000 annual fee for applicants to the H-1B visa program, which is used by skilled foreign workers. The move, which takes effect on September 21, targets new applications only but requires companies to pay the fee for each worker for up to six years.

The order claims to address “abuse” of the H-1B system and restricts entry unless payment is made. Critics argue the policy will price out smaller businesses and startups, while supporters say it will prioritize American workers.

In a separate move, Trump also announced a new “gold card” visa program, fast-tracking certain immigrants in exchange for fees starting at £1 million.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the new cost will force employers to evaluate whether hiring a foreign worker is worth the additional expense. “All of the big companies are on board,” he added.

Until now, H-1B applicants paid around $1,500 in administrative fees. The annual cap on H-1B visas is 85,000, and application numbers for the next fiscal year have dropped to a four-year low of about 359,000.

Major beneficiaries of the H-1B program include Amazon, Tata, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google. In response to the announcement, Amazon advised its H-1B employees abroad to return to the U.S. before the deadline or risk being unable to re-enter.

Immigration experts warn the new fee could severely impact smaller companies. Attorney Tahmina Watson called it a “nail in the coffin” for many of her clients, while legal expert Jorge Lopez warned it could undermine U.S. competitiveness in tech and other industries.

The decision has sparked international concern, particularly in India, the largest source of H-1B applicants.