Trump introduces $100,000 fee for H-1B visas and launches golden card program

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday, September 19, 2025, introducing an additional $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications. This move could significantly impact the tech sector, which heavily relies on skilled workers from India and China. Simultaneously, the administration launched a new "golden card" program for wealthy foreigners.

Radical Changes to the H-1B Program

This new decision drastically alters the existing H-1B visa system. Currently, employers pay relatively small amounts — from $1,700 to $4,500 depending on whether the application process is expedited. The new $100,000 fee is added on top of existing costs and must be paid by the employer for each visa.

"We need great workers, and this largely guarantees that's exactly what will happen," Trump stated from the Oval Office.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik explained that the new fee will prevent companies from training foreign workers and instead encourage hiring Americans.

The proclamation restricts H-1B entry unless accompanied by the payment of the set amount. The administration claims that abuses of the H-1B program have led to the displacement of American workers.

Impact on Tech Companies

The changes will hit the tech sector particularly hard. Amazon received the highest number of H-1B visas in 2024 — over 10,000, followed by Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Apple, and Google. A company sponsoring 10 H-1B workers annually could now face additional costs of $1,000,000.

Stocks of tech companies dependent on the H-1B program have already reacted to the news. Shares of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp, as well as U.S. shares of Indian tech companies Infosys and Wipro, closed down 2% to 5%.

India was the largest beneficiary of H-1B visas last year, accounting for 71% of approved applicants, while China ranked second with 11.7%. In the first half of 2025, Amazon received over 10,000 approved H-1B visas, while Microsoft and Meta Platforms received over 5,000 each.

The "Golden Card" Program: A New Path for the Wealthy

Alongside the H-1B reform, Trump launched a "golden card" program — a new immigration path for wealthy foreigners. The program offers expedited visa processing in exchange for a substantial fee.

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Under the new scheme, individual applicants must pay $1,000,000, while corporations pay $2,000,000 to sponsor an employee. The corporate card allows companies to sponsor a worker and transfer that sponsorship to another person without paying a new fee.

Additionally, a "platinum card" priced at $5,000,000 was introduced, allowing holders to spend up to 270 days a year in the U.S. without being taxed on income earned outside the country.

Economic Goals and Controversies

The administration claims the program could attract significant investments. Trump suggested the U.S. could "sell a million of these cards, maybe more." At $5,000,000 each, selling 1 million golden cards could bring in $5 trillion.

"And if we sell 10 million cards, that would total $50 trillion," Trump added. "We have $35 trillion in debt. That wouldn't be bad."

However, most immigration experts and lawyers consider these figures highly unrealistic. They expect sales in the low thousands. Immigration lawyer Darren Silver notes that interest wanes once he explains that the program is not like the existing EB-5 program, which requires investments of around $1,000,000 in a job-creating business.

Legal Issues and Criticism

Immigration lawyers, some Democrats, as well as Republican lawmakers and conservative immigration experts argue that Trump cannot legally do what he's proposing without Congressional approval. However, Trump insists it's "absolutely legal" as he's only offering permanent residency and not citizenship.

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council, questioned the legality of the proposed new fees.

"Congress has only authorized the government to set fees to recover the cost of adjudicating an application," he said.

Alternatives for Businesses

With the new restrictions, a growing number of companies are starting to consider alternative ways to hire foreign specialists, including visas for individuals with extraordinary abilities such as O-1 and EB-1A.

For current H-1B visa holders, the proclamation doesn't immediately affect existing visas, but future extensions, transfers, or renewals may fall under the new rules.

Market Reaction and Future Prospects

The new measures represent the administration's most prominent attempt to reform temporary work visas and are part of a broader immigration campaign that includes measures to restrict some forms of legal immigration.

Experts warn that such a high fee could effectively turn H-1B into a "luxury work permit" accessible only to the wealthiest corporations and workers. This could push out startups and small businesses, direct skilled labor to other countries, and weaken the U.S. position as a global leader in innovation.

Trump's position on the H-1B visa program has fluctuated, and this issue has at times sharply divided his supporters. During the 2024 campaign, he signaled openness to providing legal status to some foreign workers if they graduated from a U.S. university, and defended the program last December.

Canada as an Alternative: An Open Door for Talent

While the U.S. is building higher barriers for immigrants, America's northern neighbor is moving in the opposite direction. Canada is actively opening doors for talented professionals, offering a transparent and predictable immigration system.

Unlike the American system, where success often depends on a lottery or having millions of dollars, Canada uses an Express Entry system based on clear criteria. Candidates receive points for education, work experience, age, English or French language proficiency, and other factors. If you score enough points, you receive an invitation for permanent residency — no lotteries or unpredictable rules.

Moreover, almost every Canadian province has its own programs with simplified requirements tailored to local labor market needs. British Columbia and Ontario actively invite IT specialists, Alberta is looking for engineers, and healthcare workers are in demand almost everywhere.

Fast-Track Programs and Special Initiatives

For in-demand professionals, Canada operates the Global Talent Stream program, which can provide work permits in just a few weeks. Imagine the contrast: while the U.S. is introducing $100,000 barriers, Canada processes applications for qualified specialists in less than a month.

Interestingly, Canada has created separate initiatives for professionals stuck in the U.S. with H-1B visas who have been waiting years for a green card. Canadian authorities understand that these are already proven professionals whom it would be unwise to let slip away.

Education as a Path to Permanent Residency

The Canadian education system also serves as a bridge to permanent residency. If you don't have enough points for direct immigration, studying at a Canadian university can significantly bring you closer to this goal. After graduation, students are eligible to work for one to three years, depending on the length of their program.

Study and work experience in Canada counts towards the Express Entry system, and after a few years, many become permanent residents. Many graduates who previously moved automatically to the US are now staying in Canada due to the stability and predictability of the system.

Social Benefits and Quality of Life

Canada offers not only open doors for immigration but also a high level of social protection. The system includes free healthcare, extended paid maternity leave, child benefits, and unemployment assistance. All this gives people confidence in the future and financial stability.

In the US, much depends on the specific employer and state, and H-1B visa holders often feel trapped in the system — one wrong move can lead to loss of status. In Canada, obtaining permanent resident status provides real stability, and after three years, you can apply for Canadian citizenship.

Impact on Russian Citizens

The new American restrictions have become particularly painful for Russian citizens. For the first time in history, participation in the green card lottery has become paid — formally just $1 USD, but due to sanctions and blocked international payments, millions of Russians are effectively excluded from the draw. For many families, this was the only chance for legal relocation to the US.

In this context, Canadian programs look especially attractive, as they remain accessible and are based on the candidate's professional qualities, not on the political situation or ability to make international payments.

If you need help with immigration to Canada, book a consultation.