Trump launches $1M 'Gold Card' visas, hikes H-1B fees to $100K

Trump launches $1M 'Gold Card' visas, hikes H-1B fees to $100K President Donald Trump signed sweeping immigration reforms on Friday, introducing a premium "Gold Card" visa program for wealthy foreigners and dramatically raising costs for skilled worker visas through H-1B fees. The moves signal a fundamental shift toward prioritizing high-net-worth immigrants while restricting traditional pathways for foreign professionals. Gold Card Program Targets Ultra-Wealthy Under the new program, individuals can purchase U.S. residency for $1 million through the "Trump Gold Card," while corporations can sponsor employees for $2 million per person. According to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who announced the initiative alongside Trump, the program aims to attract only "extraordinary people at the very top" who will create businesses and jobs for Americans. The Gold Card offers lawful permanent resident status equivalent to EB-1 or EB-2 visas but processed in "record time". Successful applicants undergo extensive vetting by the Department of Homeland Security and State Department, paying an additional $15,000 screening fee. The program will make approximately 80,000 Gold Cards available and replace existing employment-based green card categories EB-1 and EB-2. A forthcoming "Platinum Card" program, priced at $5 million and requiring congressional approval, would allow holders to spend up to 270 days annually in the United States without paying U.S. taxes on foreign income. Lutnick predicted congressional approval "later this year". H-1B Visa Fees Skyrocket to $100,000 Simultaneously, Trump signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visa applications, effective September 21, 2025. The dramatic increase from current fees of around $2,000-$5,000 aims to ensure companies hire only the most highly skilled foreign workers while encouraging American employment. "We need great workers, and this pretty much ensures that's what's going to happen," Trump said while signing the order in the Oval Office. The administration argues the H-1B program has been exploited to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign labor. Revenue Generation and Industry Impact The combined programs could generate over $100 billion in government revenue, according to Lutnick. Trump stated the funds would be used for "reducing taxes, pro-growth projects, and paying down our debt". The H-1B changes particularly impact the technology sector, which relies heavily on skilled workers from India and China. India accounted for 71% of H-1B approvals in 2024, while China represented 11.7%. Major tech companies including Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are among the largest H-1B sponsors. The reforms represent Trump's most significant overhaul of legal immigration pathways since taking office, combining restrictions on traditional skilled worker visas with new premium options for the ultra-wealthy. The blog on the new "Gold Card" visa program and steep H-1B fee hikes covers significant shifts in US immigration policy. Here are the main pros and cons within the US context, plus relevant tags to use for social reach. Pros Cons President Trump’s new Gold Card program allows wealthy foreigners to gain US permanent residency for $1 million, replacing the merit-based EB-1 and EB-2 green card categories. Corporations can sponsor employees for $2 million each, and a “Platinum Card” costing $5 million promises extended US stays with tax incentives. The plan, paired with a $100,000 annual H-1B visa fee, is projected to raise over $100 billion for the government, but it dramatically shifts US immigration policy toward favoring ultra-wealthy migrants while closing off many traditional skilled worker pathways.

Trump launches $1M 'Gold Card' visas, hikes H-1B fees to $100K

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Trump launches $1M 'Gold Card' visas, hikes H-1B fees to $100K

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