The Trump government says that the changes on employment-based immigration will reform and reduce dependence on temporary employee programs.
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Friday that imposes an annual fee of $ 100,000 for H-1B-VISA, which means that changing the way in which foreign employees are hired in the US
“The whole idea is no longer these major technology companies or other large companies train foreign employees. They have to pay the government $ 100,000, then they have to pay the employee, so it’s just not [economical]”Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters on Friday while Trump signed the order. He added:” All major companies are on board. “
In addition to the reimbursement, Trump also rolled a “golden card“Those rich individuals will give their way to citizenship.
People who want to get a golden card are charged $ 1 million and companies have to pay $ 2 million, According to Axios. Companies can sponsor an employee with the company card. There will be no extra compensation if the company chooses to switch the sponsorship to another employee.
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There will also be a more premium option that is known as the “Trump Platinum Card”, which carries a price tag of $ 5 million and can spend holders up to 270 days in the US without being subject to taxes on non-us Income, Axios reported.
H-1B-VISA have been an important focus of the immigration debate during Trump’s second term. Although the visa requests that applicants have at least a bachelor’s degree, there are some who claim that H-1Bs are often used to hire cheap workers about American employees.
President Donald Trump speaks, with secretary of trade Howard Lutnick who stands by his side, while a sign that reads: “Trump Gold Card is here” is shown in the Oval Office in the White House in Washington, DC, September 19, 2025. (Ken Cedeno / Reuters / Reuters)
The White House Said in a fact that the share of IT employees with H-1B-VISA rose from 32% in tax 2003 to more than 65% in recent years. In the meantime, the Trump administration said that unemployment among graduates of computer science reached 6.1% and 7.5% for computer technology graduates.
“The H-1B program creates obstacles for future American employees to choose STEM career, which threatens our national security,” said the White House.
JPMorgan employees were advised by Ogletree Deakins, a company that handles visa applications for the bank, that H-1B visa holders must avoid international journeys “until the government issues clear travel guidance”, According to Reuters.
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President Donald Trump signs an executive order on a “golden card” visa in the Oval Office in the White House in Washington, DC, September 19, 2025. (Ken Cedeno / Reuters / Reuters)
Amazon reportedly placed internal guidance on Friday evening with a similar warning, Business Insider reported.
“If you have the H-1B status and are in the US: stay in the country for the time being, even if you have planned for the near future,” the company told employees, according to Business Insider. The guidance also advised H-1B and H-4 holders who are currently outside the US to return as quickly as possible. H-4 Visa are for spouses of H-1B holders.
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The India’s technology service industry is also expected to feel the impact of the policy shift.
“Consent talent mobility and exchanges have contributed enormously in technology development, innovation, economic growth, competitiveness and wealth creation in the United States and India”, the India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. “Policy makers will therefore assess recent steps, taking into account mutual benefits, including strong ties with people-to-people between the two countries.”
DOODY DAS, partner at ventop capital company Menlo Ventures, warned in a post on X that this “makes no sense to attract the smartest talent in the world to the US”
“If the US ceases to attract the best talent, it reduces its ability to innovate and grow the economy,” Das added.
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