Overview

• An executive action imposes a $100,000 charge on H‑1B petitions, with officials saying entry under the program will be restricted unless the fee is paid.
• The decree creates an expedited “golden card” option that fast‑tracks visas for a $1 million individual payment or $2 million employer sponsorship.
• The Labor Department has been directed to start rulemaking to revisit prevailing‑wage levels for H‑1B positions.
• Heavy users in tech face higher costs, with large firms better able to absorb them than start‑ups, and shares of Cognizant, Infosys and Wipro fell more than 2% after the announcement.
• Separate changes to nonimmigrant travel are set to begin in October, including a $250 visa integrity fee, wider in‑person interview requirements, and refundable bonds of $5,000–$15,000 for some B‑1/B‑2 applicants.