Photo File: US-Via

United States President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation that significantly raises the application fee for H-1B visas to $100,000, a move expected to cause widespread impact across the technology industry, where such visas are commonly used.

The new measure, which may be met with legal opposition, was unveiled on Friday at the White House alongside the formal rollout of a $1 million U.S. residency scheme dubbed the “gold card” programme first hinted at by Trump earlier this year.

“The main thing is, we’re going to have great people coming in, and they’re going to be paying,” President Trump declared while signing the executive order in the Oval Office.

The H-1B visa allows American companies to employ foreign professionals in specialised fields such as engineering, computer science, and research. Initially valid for three years and renewable up to six years, the visa sees an annual cap of 85,000 slots. Notably, Indian nationals account for nearly 75 percent of the recipients.

Major technology companies, including those that depend on skilled talent from India, make significant use of the programme to staff critical roles. These firms may now face increased operational costs due to the new policy.

Also present at the signing was U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who said, “All the big companies are on board,” signalling private sector support for the new policy.

Trump, who previously targeted the H-1B visa programme during his first term, appears to be advancing a broader immigration crackdown in his second tenure. His earlier attempts to restrict eligibility faced multiple legal challenges.

As per the new proclamation, the $100,000 fee will take effect from Sunday, though the Secretary of Homeland Security has been empowered to issue exemptions for individuals, specific companies, or entire sectors. The order is set to last for one year but may be extended at the president’s discretion.

The demand for H-1B visas has risen considerably in recent years. While the highest number of approvals was recorded in 2022 during President Joe Biden’s administration, the largest volume of rejections occurred in 2018 under Trump’s first term.

In 2024, the U.S. government approved an estimated 400,000 H-1B visas, with approximately two-thirds being renewals.

In a separate move, President Trump also authorised a new fast-track pathway to U.S. residency for individuals who invest $1 million. Under the same scheme, corporate entities may sponsor applicants for a fee of $2 million.

“I think it’s going to be tremendously successful,” Trump added.