Trump signs order hiking visa fees for foreign workers

President Donald Trump signed a sweeping order yesterday that raises fees for H-1B visas for highly-skilled foreign workers. He also introduced a $1 million “gold card” visa that paves the way for a US citizenship.

Investor visas, previously costing $10,000, would soar to $20,000 annually under the new plan.

Trump also announced a $5 million “Trump Platinum Card,” which would allow foreigners to spend up to 270 days in the US, tax-free on foreign income, though this requires congressional approval.

Experts say the move would face legal scrutiny. It pushes up the skilled worker visa fee from $215 and requires a $100,000 annual visa fee for highly-skilled workers.

Critics of tech companies welcomed the move, pointing out that the H-1B program has long been misused by tech giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Meta to fill roles that require specialized skills.

They say it allows tech companies and consulting firms to classify positions at low skill levels, allowing them to pay foreign workers less than their US counterparts.