Trump signs order adding $100k fee to H-1B visa applicants

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to add a $100,000 annual fee for applicants to the H-1B visa program for skilled foreign workers. The order aims to address perceived abuse of the program and will require payment to gain entry.

Critics argue that H-1Bs undercut the American workforce, while supporters, including Elon Musk, believe it helps attract top global talent. Another order establishes a "gold card" to expedite visas for certain immigrants in exchange for fees starting at £1m.

The new rule is set to take effect on 21 September and will apply to new requests. Companies will need to pay $100,000 per applicant annually for six years, according to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Since 2004, the number of H-1B applications has been capped at 85,000 per year, with administrative fees totaling around $1,500. Data shows that applications for the next fiscal year have dropped to a four-year low of about 359,000.

Amazon was the top beneficiary of the program in the previous fiscal year, followed by Tata, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google. Critics warn that the new fee could have a significant impact on small businesses and start-ups that rely on foreign talent.

Some experts believe that the $100,000 fee will harm American competitiveness in the tech sector and other industries. The move has sparked concerns in countries like India, a major source of H-1B visa applications.

The debate over H-1Bs has divided Trump's team and supporters, with conflicting views on the visas. Trump has previously expressed understanding for both sides of the argument and has taken steps to tighten scrutiny on H-1B applications.