President Donald Trump signed a proclamation that would require a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visa applications, an enormous jump from the current $215 fee, according to the Associated Press. The same announcement included a new “gold card” concept: AP reports Trump described a $1 million “gold card” visa with a path to U.S. citizenship after vetting, and said companies would pay $2 million to sponsor an employee through that route.

AP notes that H-1B visas are intended for high-skilled roles that generally require at least a bachelor’s degree, and are frequently used by the tech industry. Critics in the AP report argue the program can be used as a pipeline for lower-paid foreign labor compared to typical U.S. tech salaries, while supporters have long described it as necessary for filling specialized roles.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters the new fee would likely make far fewer H-1B visas “economic,” even though the annual cap is 85,000, and he framed it as a way to push training and hiring toward U.S. workers. AP also reports the move drew sharp criticism, including from a former USCIS official in the Biden administration who called the increase “lawless,” and noted the plan is likely to face court challenges.

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“This isn’t real policy — it’s fan service for immigration restrictionists.”

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Key facts:

• The proclamation would create a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visa applications (up from $215, per AP).
• H-1B visas are capped at 85,000 per year and generally require at least a bachelor’s degree.
• Lutnick said the fee could lead to far fewer H-1B visas being used because “it’s just not economic anymore.”
• AP reports Trump also announced a $1 million “gold card” pathway and said $2 million for companies to sponsor an employee through it.
• AP says the moves are expected to face near-certain legal challenges and sparked immediate criticism.

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This matters because the H-1B program impacts not just tech companies, but also universities, hospitals, and employers that rely on specialized talent—and a fee this large could effectively change who can realistically access the program at all. If implemented, the policy could reshape hiring pipelines, salary dynamics, and workforce planning, while also creating major uncertainty for students, workers, and employers who operate on long immigration timelines. And because AP reports the move is likely to trigger court fights over executive authority versus Congress, the real-world impact may depend on what happens next in the legal system.

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What can people do right now?

If you’re an H-1B applicant, employer, or student planning a work visa route, the practical move is to assume timelines and costs may shift fast and to avoid decisions based on rumors. Keep your case paperwork organized, track official updates from USCIS and reputable reporting, and talk with a qualified immigration attorney (or your employer’s immigration counsel) before making big changes—especially if your plan depends on an upcoming filing window, job start date, or status transition that could be affected by new fees or litigation.

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Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. Immigration situations vary, talk to a qualified immigration attorney about your specific case.