Trump’s New Order Imposes Staggering $100K Annual Fee on Skilled Worker Visa Applicants
As of Saturday, September 20, 2025, a landmark executive order signed by US President Donald Trump is set to dramatically reshape the landscape for skilled foreign workers seeking entry into the United States. This new directive introduces a formidable annual fee of $100,000 (approximately £74,000) for applicants to the H-1B visa program. Citing concerns over “abuse” of the system, the administration aims to restrict access to the program unless this substantial payment is made, with the order slated to take effect on September 21.
Navigating the New Era of US Skilled Immigration
The implications of this policy are profound, particularly for US companies reliant on international talent and for skilled professionals globally, including a burgeoning African tech talent pool. Under the new rules, not only will new H-1B visa requests incur this $100,000 fee, but companies will also be obligated to pay this amount annually for each approved applicant over a period of six years. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick underscored the gravity of this financial commitment, stating, “The company needs to decide. is the person valuable enough to have a $100,000-a-year payment to the government.” This places a significant financial burden on employers, potentially making it prohibitive to hire all but the most indispensable foreign workers.
The order reignites a long-standing debate surrounding the H-1B program. Critics have consistently argued that these visas contribute to undercutting the American workforce, while proponents, such as tech titan Elon Musk, maintain that the program is crucial for the US to attract and retain top-tier talent from around the world. The new fee structure could fundamentally alter this dynamic, forcing companies to reconsider their global recruitment strategies. In a separate but related move, President Trump also established a “gold card” initiative, offering fast-track visas for certain immigrants in exchange for fees starting at £1 million, signaling a shift towards a more tiered immigration system that heavily favors capital investment.
With the new H-1B fee coming into force on September 21, the Trump administration’s latest executive order marks a pivotal moment for US immigration policy concerning skilled foreign workers. While designed to address perceived abuses, the $100,000 annual fee and the subsequent six-year payment obligation will undeniably impact global talent flows, potentially making it more challenging for US companies to access diverse skills and for many highly qualified individuals, including those from vibrant African tech hubs, to pursue opportunities in the US. The coming years will reveal the full extent of this policy’s influence on the American workforce and its competitive edge in the global talent market.
Keywords
Related Keywords: H1B visa fee increase, Skilled worker visa cost USA, Trump immigration fees, 100k US work visa fee, H1B visa policy changes Trump, High cost US skilled worker visa, US immigration fee hike, Trump H1B visa policy, US work visa cost
