US President Donald Trump has raised the annual fee for the H-1B visa to $100,000, a huge jump from the earlier $215. The move is expected to hit Indian tech workers the hardest.
Signing the order at the White House, Trump said the goal is to “hire American workers.” The administration explained that companies can still bring in “truly extraordinary people” but must pay far higher costs. Investor visa fees will also rise sharply, from $10,000–$20,000 a year.
Along with the hike, Trump introduced a new Gold Card visa program. It includes the Trump Gold Card, Trump Platinum Card, and Trump Corporate Gold Card. These are designed to replace employment-based visas that often lead to citizenship for professionals like professors, scientists, and athletes.
The Trump Gold Card, priced at $1 million, allows approved individuals to live across all 50 states. The Platinum Card, costing $5 million, lets holders stay in the US for 270 days without paying tax on non-US income. The Corporate Gold Card, at $2 million, is for businesses hiring foreign workers.
The administration claims these steps will protect US jobs while keeping doors open for top global talent.
