Overview

• The new charge applies to new H‑1B applications only and does not require payment from current visa holders, according to administration guidance reported by media.
• Officials say employers must pay the full salary plus the $100,000 annual fee, a move the White House frames as protecting U.S. workers by deterring use of lower‑paid foreign labor.
• The administration also introduced a “tarjeta dorada” expedited residence route priced at $1 million for individuals or $2 million if employer‑sponsored, aimed at candidates with extraordinary skills.
• The White House plans to direct the Labor Department to review prevailing wage rules tied to H‑1B, with further agency procedures and implementation details expected.
• Industry coverage highlights likely legal challenges and significant effects for tech and outsourcing firms, with some related stocks falling after the announcement.