H-1B Visa Fee Hiked: Trump signs proclamation, wants to ensure 'actually very highly skilled' aliens enter US

US President Donald Trump's administration on Friday hiked the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 from a few thousand dollars at present. Signing the proclamation, the 47th US president said America is "going to have great people coming in", referring to the H-1B visa programme that is crucial for highly skilled Indian techies working in the US. The move is the latest in the Trump 2.0 administration's crackdown against immigration.

Under Trump, the White House has been tightening regulations for immigrants holding skilled and blue-collar jobs alike.

Through the raised fee, the Trump-led US government wants to ensure that people entering the US to work are "actually very highly skilled". The action and the president's remarks are aligned with Trump's campaign with a protectionist 'America first' policy.

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In another blow to H-1B visa holders, Trump also plans to order the US Labour Secretary to revise the prevailing wage levels under the programme.

Three key takeaways from the White House's H-1B fee hike order:

• Proclamation to restrict the entry of certain H-1B aliens in the US as non-immigrant workers
• Entry restricted under H-1B visa programme unless accompanied by payment
• H-1B pathway abuse has displaced American workers: Trump

H-1B visa 'abuse'

The White House said that American workers are being replaced with lower-paid foreign labour, creating an economic and national security threat to the US.

The share of IT workers with H-1B visas has risen from 32 per cent in financial year 2003 to over 65 per cent in recent years, it noted.

H-1B Visa | Current fee and validity

The H-1B visa comes with a validity for three years with a fee amounting to $2,000-$3,500 including online registration and basic filing, and $4,80-$6,000 with premium processing.

The Trump administration said that the $1,00,000 fee is aimed at ensuring that the people being brought into the country are “actually very highly skilled” and do not replace American workers.

The Gold Card at $1 million

Trump also signed an executive order for 'The Gold Card', a special visa programme for foreigners having "extraordinary ability" offering a fast-rack route to US residency against the payment of $1 million.

If an employee is sponsored by their employer for the American Green Card, the visa can be renewed until they receive permanent residency.

Practically, H-1B visa holders have to wait for years before they receive Green Cards.