In a major move targeting U.S. immigration policies, President Donald Trump on Friday announced a steep increase in H1-B visa fees, setting the annual cost at $100,000 per visa.

The proclamation, signed at the Oval Office, marks one of the most aggressive actions yet by the administration to restrict immigration and prioritize American workers.

White House staff secretary Will Scharf stated that the H1-B program has been one of the “most abused visa systems” and that the new fee will ensure that only “very highly skilled” professionals are brought into the country. Companies sponsoring H1-B applicants will now have to weigh whether the employee’s value justifies the $100,000 yearly payment.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick added that the program aims to prevent companies from replacing American workers with lower-cost foreign labor. “If a company is going to train someone, they should train an American graduate.

This policy ensures that only top talent remains,” Lutnick said. He further estimated that the measure will raise over $100 billion for the U.S. Treasury, which will be used to cut taxes and pay down national debt.

The new rule applies not only to new H1-B applicants but also to renewals. H1-B visas, typically valid for three years and extendable to six years, are commonly used by Indian IT professionals working in the U.S. The steep hike could force many companies to reconsider sponsoring foreign workers, potentially affecting thousands of Indian employees already waiting for their Green Cards amid decades-long backlogs.

Alongside the H1-B changes, Trump also unveiled a new visa initiative called the ‘Gold Card’ program. Under this scheme, individuals who contribute $1 million to the U.S. Treasury, or $2 million if sponsored by a corporation, will receive expedited visa processing and a fast-tracked pathway to permanent residency.

Trump said the new measures will ensure that only “valuable people” enter the country. “We’re going to have great people coming in. Companies love it, and they’re ready to pay for top talent. This will make America stronger,” he remarked.

The move has sparked widespread debate in the tech industry and among immigration advocates, with many predicting that the $100,000 annual fee will drastically reshape the H1-B landscape and limit opportunities for foreign workers in the U.S.