"The fee will only apply to new applicants and it's likely to face legal challenges, but even just the specter of this change appears to have some companies scrambling. There are reports that Microsoft issued an internal memo advising any workers currently abroad that operate on a visa to return to the US before the new fees kick in at midnight tonight. And tech companies have already been warning those working on visas not to leave the US for fear that they might not be able to return."
"Broadly when the White House talks about attracting the " top, top people" to the US, it seems they're talking about wealth not skill. It also unveiled a so-called " gold card" program that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will replace the existing EB-1 and EB-2 visa programs. Those programs are for people of "extraordinary ability" (often artists, athletes, educators, and executives) or those with advanced degrees in competitive fields. The replacement program demands that applicants "prove [their] exceptional value to the United States of America by contributing a million dollars.""
The administration announced a $100,000-per-year fee on all new H-1B visas aimed at discouraging their use. The tech sector is heavily reliant on H-1B workers, with Amazon employing roughly 14,000 and several major firms each having more than 4,000 visa workers. The fee applies only to new applicants and is expected to face legal challenges, yet the announcement has prompted urgent employer actions. Microsoft reportedly advised visa holders abroad to return before the fee takes effect, and companies warned employees against leaving. A proposed "gold card" would replace EB-1/EB-2 and require million-dollar payments for fast-tracked residency.
Read at The Verge
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