The new $100,000 fee for President Trump’s High-Skill H-1B visa will only affect individuals applying for the visa anew, according to White House officials who shared this information with the Post on Saturday. This change is causing some concerns among companies that heavily depend on foreign talent.
It’s important to note that after 12:10 am on Sundays, orders will no longer allow re-entry into the United States once the employer has paid the fee.
Yet, there’s some confusion regarding which workers this fee will impact.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick initially indicated on Friday that the fee would be charged annually, though the specifics were still being ironed out.
Subsequently, White House representatives clarified that the fee is a one-time charge for new applications, applying only to those seeking the visa, not to current holders or renewals.
Multiple sources have reported that legal experts in immigration are advising visa holders to remain in the U.S. or return before certain deadlines hit.
Based on an internal email reviewed by Reuters, major tech firms like Microsoft, Amazon, and JPMorgan—who rely significantly on visa workers—are advising employees to stay in the country, particularly after Friday’s announcement.
An email from Ogletree Deakins, the law firm managing visa applications for investment banks, suggested that H-1B visa holders should avoid international travel until clear guidance from the government is provided.
Microsoft, JPMorgan, and Amazon did not respond to Reuters’ request for comments regarding the situation.
The newly established rules won’t take effect until the next lottery cycle for H-1B visas. These visas typically require at least a bachelor’s degree and are intended for advanced roles that tech companies find hard to fill locally.
Critics argue that the program simply channels international workers willing to accept lower salaries—around $60,000—compared to the $100,000 average for U.S. tech positions.
Lutnick mentioned that the goal behind this order is to encourage companies to focus on hiring and training U.S. workers instead of turning to foreign labor.
“If you’re going to train someone, it should be a recent graduate from one of our esteemed universities. Train Americans. There’s no need to bring in others to do jobs that we can fill ourselves,” Lutnick stated.
The White House appears particularly focused on U.S. students who opt out of STEM fields, associating foreign competition with perceived national security concerns.
Additionally, Trump has signed another executive order allowing individuals willing to pay $1 million to receive expedited medical care under a “Gold Card” visa. Companies sponsoring these applicants must pay $2 million.
A “Platinum Card” will also be introduced for $5 million, allowing holders to spend as much as 270 days in the U.S. without needing to pay U.S. taxes on non-U.S. earnings. This platinum card seems to have evolved from a previously announced $5 million gold card that aimed to replace investor visas.
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