Overview

• Employers must pay $100,000 per H‑1B petition each year in addition to full salaries, with the policy launched for an initial 12‑month period.
• A new investor pathway branded as a golden card offers accelerated residency for about $1 million individually or $2 million with corporate sponsorship.
• The White House frames the move as curbing alleged H‑1B abuses that displace U.S. workers and depress wages, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said major companies back the change.
• Key mechanics remain unclear, including whether the new charge is additive to existing H‑1B fees, with agencies yet to detail collection and processing.
• Analysts and reports say the changes could significantly affect technology and consulting employers and are likely to draw legal challenges.