Washington, Sep 20 In a significant move, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation to drastically reduce the H-1B visa program, imposing a $100,000 annual fee for applications. This policy aims to encourage the hiring of domestic workers, as asserted by Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who emphasized that it would deter companies from employing foreign labor.
The proclamation also claimed the program had been exploited to replace rather than support American workers. The new rules will apply to both new and renewal applications, with a maximum validity of six years. Additionally, Trump announced a gold card visa program for $1 million individuals and $2 million companies.
This decision affects major U.S. tech firms and follows scrutiny from the Department of Justice regarding hiring practices related to H-1B visas. Despite previous support for the program, Trump has shifted his stance due to pressure from activists. The H-1B visa program has historically favored Indian workers, who received 73% of approved visas in 2023.
