🚨 Major H-1B Changes + “Gold Card” Announcement

President Trump Implements $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee On September 19, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.” This measure blocks the entry of H-1B specialty-occupation visa holders unless they pay a $100,000 fee. The rule went into effect on September 21, 2025.

The proclamation includes a narrow national interest exception, but exactly how this exception will be applied remains unclear.

In addition to the new fee, the order directs the Secretary of Labor to begin rulemaking on prevailing wage requirements for H-1B workers. DHS also intends to prioritize the admission of the highest-paid foreign nationals. A proposed regulation is under review that would transform the H-1B lottery into a wage-based selection process, ranking petitions by wage level.

Initial Confusion, Later Clarification The first 24 hours after the announcement generated significant uncertainty for employers, visa holders, and immigration practitioners. By Saturday afternoon, the picture became clearer:

• White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the proclamation would not impact current H-1B holders, who can still enter and re-enter the U.S. without paying the fee.

  
  

• USCIS Director Joseph Edlow clarified in a memo that the order applies prospectively only to petitions not yet filed. It does not apply to:

  
  

• CBP issued a parallel memo over the weekend confirming that current H-1B holders should be allowed to enter.

  
  

Experts attribute the early confusion to the White House drafting the proclamation internally, without agency input.

What to Watch The proclamation is expected to face court challenges. Many tech companies are also advising foreign nationals not to travel overseas for now.

Why It Matters Critics argue the $100,000 fee will:

• Deter many companies, especially smaller firms with limited resources from using the H-1B program.

• Undermine U.S. competitiveness in emerging technologies like AI.

• Discourage international students who hope to secure H-1B sponsorship after graduating from U.S. universities.

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“Gold Card” & “Platinum Card” Programs

Separately, President Trump signed an executive order creating “The Gold Card” for foreign nationals who make significant financial contributions to the U.S. Treasury.

• A $1 million gift to the Department of Commerce (or $2 million for a corporation on behalf of an individual) grants legal permanent resident status.

• A forthcoming “Platinum Card”—priced at $5 million—would allow recipients to spend up to 270 days in the U.S. without being subject to U.S. taxes on non-U.S. income.

According to the administration, these programs will raise “billions and billions of dollars” and will be used to reduce taxes and lower debt.

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💡 Bottom Line: Between the unprecedented $100,000 H-1B fee and the introduction of “pay-for-status” programs like the Gold and Platinum Cards, U.S. immigration policy is shifting rapidly and employers, workers, and students need to stay alert.