Washington (TDI): President Donald Trump on Friday announced sweeping new changes to America’s immigration system, ordering a hefty $100,000 annual fee for H-1B skilled worker visas, a move that could significantly disrupt the technology sector, which heavily depends on such permits.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump described the change as part of a broader push to make immigration pay for itself. “We’re going to have the best people coming in, and they’re going to be paying,” he told reporters as he signed the order.
The H-1B program allows US companies to recruit foreign professionals in highly specialized fields, including science, engineering, and information technology. Currently, 85,000 visas are issued each year through a lottery system, with Indian nationals receiving the majority. The visas are initially valid for three years and can be extended for another three.
The tech industry, which employs tens of thousands of H-1B workers, expressed alarm. Executives and entrepreneurs, including Elon Musk, once a Trump ally, have repeatedly warned that curbing the program could worsen America’s shortage of skilled talent.
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Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who joined Trump during the signing, insisted that “all the big companies are on board.” But immigration lawyers suggested the fee could face legal challenges, just as Trump’s earlier attempts to restrict the program did during his first term.
The order stipulates that the new charge will take effect immediately for anyone seeking entry, though the Homeland Security Secretary has authority to grant exemptions to individuals, companies, or entire industries. The measure is set to expire in one year unless extended.
In a parallel move, Trump also introduced what he called a “gold card” residency scheme, an expedited pathway to US permanent residency for those willing to pay $1 million, or $2 million if sponsored by a corporation. “I think it’s going to be tremendously successful,” the president said.
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H-1B demand has surged in recent years, peaking under Joe Biden in 2022, when approvals hit record highs. By contrast, denials reached their peak in 2018 during Trump’s first term. In 2024 alone, about 400,000 H-1B visas were approved, with two-thirds being renewals.
Friday’s announcement marks one of the most dramatic escalations yet in Trump’s second-term crackdown on immigration, one that could reshape the future of America’s tech workforce.
