On the 19th, US President Trump signed an executive order raising the fee that companies must pay for H-1B visa applicants to $100,000 (about 410,000 Malaysian Ringgit), stating that the move aims to ensure that America brings in high-skilled talent who cannot be replaced by Americans. Previously, companies usually paid several thousand US dollars for H-1B visa fees.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Trump signed this executive order at the White House that afternoon. Trump said that if companies do not want to pay $100,000, then they can just hire Americans, and claimed the new policy "actually gives companies the incentive to hire Americans."
US Commerce Secretary Lutnick, who was present, stated that this fee is “calculated annually,” applies to both initial applications and renewals, and that companies need to decide: is this person worth paying the government $100,000 a year for? If not, then let him return to his country; the company should hire Americans. Lutnick said that the core of immigration policy is to hire Americans while ensuring that only top talent is brought in.
● US Companies May Shift Jobs Overseas
US media analysis said that this huge fee will affect tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, as these companies have long relied on the H-1B visa program to hire foreign employees including software development engineers. According to data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, the annual cap for new H-1B visas is 85,000.
The CBS report said this plan may backfire, as it could prompt US companies to shift jobs overseas, especially in specialized areas such as research and development, and it may further reduce the number of international students interested in studying in the US.
● Million-Dollar “Gold Card” Gains Special Visa Treatment
In addition, Trump also signed an executive order on the same day called the “Gold Card,” stating that it will open a new “visa channel” for foreigners with extraordinary abilities who are willing to support the US: individuals who pay $1 million to the US Treasury, or are sponsored by a company paying $2 million, can obtain accelerated visa processing through this “Gold Card” program.