Trump’s Gold Card and $100,000 H-1B Fees Signal Dramatic Shift in U.S. Immigration

Trump’s Gold Card: Fast-Tracked Residency with a Hefty Price Tag

On Friday, President Donald Trump unveiled a bold new chapter in U.S. immigration policy: the Trump Gold Card. Promoted as a ticket to “unlock life in America,” this visa program offers lawful permanent residency to applicants who are willing to pay a $1 million fee. The announcement, made with characteristic flourish on social media and official channels, signals a dramatic shift toward wealth-driven migration.

Applicants for the Gold Card must complete an extensive application process and pay the nonrefundable $1 million fee up front. But that’s not all—there’s an additional $15,000 vetting fee, which covers background checks by the State Department and Department of Homeland Security. Once approved, successful applicants receive residency status similar to green card holders, allowing them to live and work in the United States.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described the program as being in its “implementation phase,” with expectations to issue around 80,000 Gold Cards. The administration projects that the scheme will generate over $100 billion, with funds earmarked for tax reduction, economic growth projects, and debt repayment. The Gold Card is set to replace the EB-1 and EB-2 visas, which previously granted residency to individuals with exceptional abilities in arts, science, business, or other fields.

Platinum and Corporate Cards: New Pathways for the Wealthy and Businesses

The Gold Card isn’t the only new offering. Trump’s immigration overhaul introduces two additional cards: the Trump Platinum Card and the Trump Corporate Gold Card. The Platinum Card, set to launch soon, comes with a $5 million fee and allows recipients to reside in the U.S. for up to 270 days per year—without being subject to U.S. taxes on foreign income.

The Corporate Gold Card is designed for businesses seeking to sponsor an individual’s bid for citizenship, priced at $2 million. For corporations, this could provide a streamlined route to securing top global talent, albeit at a steep cost. The administration’s messaging emphasizes that these programs will help “attract and retain the highest skilled subset of temporary workers,” especially in critical STEM fields.

H-1B Visa Fees: Raising the Stakes for Skilled Foreign Workers

Perhaps the most controversial change announced is the proposed increase in H-1B visa fees. The H-1B program, a lifeline for tech companies seeking to hire skilled foreign workers, could see annual fees skyrocket from several thousand dollars to $100,000 per worker. Secretary Lutnick indicated that this fee might be required annually for up to six years—the maximum duration of an H-1B visa.

The rationale, according to the White House, is to curb what it describes as “systemic abuse” of the H-1B program. A statement on the administration’s website asserts that “the large-scale replacement of American workers through systemic abuse of the program has undermined both our economic and national security.” The government’s aim is clear: make it costlier for companies to rely on foreign labor, thereby incentivizing domestic hiring.

Tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Apple have historically been the biggest beneficiaries of H-1B visas. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data, Amazon alone has over 10,000 H-1B beneficiaries. Nationwide, approximately half a million people live and work in the U.S. on H-1B visas, reports The Washington Post.

Potential Impact: Legal Challenges and Industry Reactions

The sweeping changes are expected to face significant legal scrutiny. Critics argue that the rationale for limiting H-1B visas could be challenged in court, especially given the program’s centrality to U.S. innovation. Companies that rely heavily on foreign talent may be forced to reconsider their hiring strategies, potentially shifting headquarters or operations outside the U.S. if costs become prohibitive.

Despite the controversy, President Trump has remained optimistic, declaring, “I think they’re going to be very happy. Everyone’s going to be happy.” Whether this prediction holds true remains to be seen, as industry leaders weigh the benefits of streamlined residency against the drawbacks of higher costs for skilled workers.

The new Gold Card and revised H-1B fees mark one of the most significant overhauls of U.S. immigration policy in decades. As the program enters its implementation phase, all eyes are on the courts, Congress, and the business community to see how these changes will shape the future of America’s workforce and global competitiveness.

Broader Implications: Who Gets to Unlock the American Dream?

At its core, the Gold Card program reframes the path to American residency as a financial transaction. Critics warn that such a system privileges the ultra-wealthy, potentially sidelining talented individuals who lack the means to pay seven-figure fees. Proponents, however, argue that the influx of funds could benefit the broader economy, creating jobs and bolstering public services.

For businesses, the new landscape is fraught with uncertainty. The $100,000 H-1B fee could prompt some to invest in domestic training programs or seek talent in countries with more favorable immigration policies. Others may see the Gold Card as a way to bypass traditional hurdles and bring high-net-worth individuals into the fold.

As with any major policy shift, the real impact will depend on how these programs are implemented—and how stakeholders adapt. The next few months will be crucial, as lawmakers, courts, and corporations grapple with the new reality of wealth-driven migration.

Sources: Fast Company, The Washington Post, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

In assessing Trump’s new Gold Card and H-1B policies, one thing is clear: the intersection of wealth and immigration is now front and center in America’s approach to attracting talent. While the financial windfall could support national priorities, the risk of narrowing opportunity to only those who can afford it may leave lasting consequences for innovation, diversity, and global leadership.