Today's News: Trump Announces $100,000 Annual Fee for H-1B Skilled Worker Visas
The administration also launched a “Trump Gold Card” program offering expedited U.S. residency for a fee starting at $1 million.
Photo: Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post
Date: September 19, 2025
Summary: The Trump administration announced significant changes to U.S. immigration policy, instituting a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B skilled worker visas and launching a “Trump Gold Card” program offering expedited U.S. residency for a fee starting at $1 million. These moves are framed as efforts to prioritize American workers, ensure only “top” talent enters the country, and generate substantial revenue for the government. The new policies are expected to face immediate legal challenges and have sparked debate among conservatives and industry leaders regarding their impact on American competitiveness and the tech sector.
Sources
The New York Times - Trump Says the U.S. Will Institute $100,000 Fee for Skilled Worker Visas
CNN - Trump imposes $100K fee on H-1B visas in new immigration action
Fox News - Trump launches $1M Gold Card for US residency status through government website
The Washington Post - Trump unveils $100K yearly fee on H-1B visas in clampdown on legal immigration
The Wall Street Journal - Trump Adds $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee and Rolls Out $1 Million ‘Gold Card’
Key Points
H-1B Visa Fee: All articles report that President Trump signed an executive action imposing a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B skilled worker visas. This fee applies to new applicants and renewals and is intended to curb the program’s use and incentivize hiring American workers.
“Gold Card” Program: A new expedited residency pathway, dubbed the “Trump Gold Card,” was announced. It allows individuals to obtain U.S. residency for a fee of $1 million, or $2 million if sponsored by a corporation. This program aims to attract wealthy foreigners and high earners.
Administration’s Rationale: The administration, particularly Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, justified these changes by stating they would ensure only “top, top people” or “extraordinary people” come to the U.S., discourage companies from bringing in lower-wage international workers, and generate billions in revenue to reduce taxes and national debt.
Legal Challenges Anticipated: Multiple sources highlight that both the H-1B fee and the “gold card” program are likely to face immediate legal challenges, with experts questioning their legality given that Congress typically sets visa fees and creates new visa categories.
Impact on Tech Industry: The changes are expected to significantly impact industries, especially the tech sector, which heavily relies on H-1B visas to fill specialized roles. While some administration officials claim tech companies are “very happy,” experts and industry groups express concern about increased costs and potential offshoring of jobs.
Broader Immigration Crackdown: These moves are presented as the latest in a series of efforts by the Trump administration to intensify its crackdown on all forms of immigration, including both legal and illegal pathways.
Unique Highlights
H-1B Fee Structure Details: CNN notes that the exact payment structure for the H-1B fee is still under discussion with the Department of Homeland Security, mentioning “whether we’re going to charge the $300,000 up front or $100,000 a year for the three years.”
Trump’s Fluctuating Stance: CNN and NBC News both highlight President Trump’s past inconsistent statements on the H-1B program, noting that he restricted access during his first term but also defended the program in December, telling the New York Post he was “a believer in H-1B.”
Specific H-1B Beneficiaries: NBC News identifies Amazon, Tata Consultancy Services, Microsoft, and Meta as top beneficiaries of the H-1B program, citing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data. The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal also mention Amazon, Google, and Tesla as major users.
“Trump Gold Card” Visuals and Website: Fox News provides a unique description of the “Trump Gold Card” itself, noting it features a portrait of the president, the Statue of Liberty, and the American flag, and is available for purchase on the official website, trumpcard.gov.
“Platinum Card” Details: Fox News, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal introduce the concept of a “Trump Platinum Card,” which is “coming soon” for a $5 million fee, allowing up to 270 days of residency per year without tax on non-U.S. income, and would replace travel visas. The Washington Post states this program would require Congressional approval.
Current H-1B Fees Compared: The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal detail current H-1B application fees, noting they rarely exceed $5,000 in total, excluding legal expenses, and include a $215 lottery registration fee and a $780 petition fee.
Demographics of H-1B Holders: The Washington Post provides specific demographic data, stating that over 70% of H-1B visa holders in fiscal year 2024 were born in India, with 12% from China.
Specific Legal Arguments Against Fees: NBC News quotes Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council, who stated there is “no statutory authority to impose fees designed to limit the use of a visa,” and The Washington Post quotes David J. Bier of the Cato Institute, who argues only Congress has the power to create new visa entry programs and add fees.
Internal Administration Debates: The Wall Street Journal mentions that Joseph Edlow, head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, had been preparing a regulation to give preference to visa applicants with higher salaries, but it was stalled by the White House.
Contrasting Details
Estimated Revenue from Gold/Platinum Cards: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, as reported by The Washington Post, stated he expects the Gold Card program to raise over $100 billion and the Platinum Card program to generate $1 trillion. However, The Washington Post immediately notes that “Analysts have said such figures are dubious.” The Wall Street Journal also cites Trump’s claim of “hundreds of billions of dollars” without direct contradiction but implies skepticism by stating it’s for reducing taxes and debt.
Scope of Gold Card Replacing Other Programs: The New York Times reports that Commerce Secretary Lutnick said the “gold card” program would “likely replace all other green card visa programs.” In contrast, The Wall Street Journal states Lutnick said it would replace “other similar employment-based paths to permanent residency programs within a month,” and specifies it would use existing EB-1 and EB-2 categories, reducing the total number of available employment-based visas from 140,000 to 80,000.
Tech Industry Reaction: The New York Times quotes Commerce Secretary Lutnick claiming companies were “very happy” about the H-1B fee. However, The Washington Post notes that “The country’s largest tech companies were notably silent about the policy Friday night, in a dramatic departure from their frequent criticisms of Trump’s immigration policies during his first administration,” and mentions that while some executives supported Trump, others were “still reviewing the implications.” NBC News states the proclamation is “likely to rankle tech executives.”
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