U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday imposing a $100,000 application fee for H-1B visas, in what his administration calls an effort to curb “excessive use” of the program.
“We want the best workers, and this ensures that’s what will happen,” Trump said from the Oval Office, as officials argued the measure would push companies to hire more Americans while still allowing access to highly skilled foreign labor.
The proclamation restricts entry under the program unless accompanied by the massive payment.
In a separate order, Trump also introduced a so-called “golden card” immigration path, fast-tracking visas for wealthy applicants. Under the plan, individuals can pay $1 million to expedite their visa, while companies may pay $2 million to fast-track the process for a sponsored foreign worker.
The H-1B visa typically grants foreign specialists three years of work in the U.S., renewable for another three years.
Critics argue the policy effectively turns U.S. immigration into a “pay-to-play” system, shutting out talent from less wealthy backgrounds and transforming a merit-based visa program into a privilege for the rich.
