President Donald Trump has signed sweeping changes to the U.S. H-1B visa system, including a $100,000 annual fee for standard applicants — up from roughly $215 for skilled workers. Alongside it, the administration introduced the “Gold Card” and “Platinum Card” visas, which give wealthy individuals fast-track access to U.S. residency with perks that feel more like airline loyalty programs than immigration law.

The Gold Card, at $1 million, grants a residency pathway with minimal hurdles, while the Platinum Card, at $5 million, allows holders to live in the U.S. up to 270 days a year without paying U.S. taxes on foreign income. Ordinary skilled workers, by contrast, now face a staggering application fee just to apply for the same H-1B status they’ve used for decades.

Commerce Secretary How

See Full Page