President Donald Trump implemented sweeping changes to the H-1B visa program by signing a new proclamation at the White House on Friday. The policy mandates a $100,000 annual fee for each visa application, targeting both new requests and renewals. Trump stated the measure aims to incentivize American worker hiring while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick argued the cost will discourage foreign labor recruitment. The administration claims major technology companies support these modifications. Visa holders may only renew their status for a maximum six-year period under the revised framework.
The proclamation asserts that companies have exploited the H-1B system to replace American employees with lower-paid foreign workers. Trump also established a gold card program requiring $1 million for individual visas and $2 million for corporate applications. The traditional H-1B program permits 85,000 new visas annually, with Indian nationals receiving approximately 73 percent of approvals in 2023. The Department of Justice has simultaneously increased investigations into hiring practices that allegedly favor foreign workers over American citizens.
The proclamation asserts that companies have exploited the H-1B system to replace American employees with lower-paid foreign workers. Trump also established a gold card program requiring $1 million for individual visas and $2 million for corporate applications. The traditional H-1B program permits 85,000 new visas annually, with Indian nationals receiving approximately 73 percent of approvals in 2023. The Department of Justice has simultaneously increased investigations into hiring practices that allegedly favor foreign workers over American citizens.
