H-1B in 2025: What Trump’s New Executive Actions Mean — and How the New “Gold Card” Fits In

H-1B in 2025: What Trump’s New Executive Actions Mean — and How the New “Gold Card” Fits In

Updated: September 22, 2025

The last 72 hours have brought the most sweeping H-1B and business-immigration changes in years. Here’s a clear, practical breakdown of what just changed, who’s affected, and what smart employers and high-skill workers can do next.

The headline: a new $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions

On Sept. 19, 2025, the White House issued a Proclamation: “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.” Effective 12:01 a.m. ET on Sept. 21, 2025 and running for 12 months (through Sept. 21, 2026) unless extended, the order restricts H-1B entry unless the petition is accompanied by a $100,000 payment. USCIS has confirmed that this applies to new H-1B filings (including the FY-2026 lottery cycle), not to extensions/renewals, and not to petitions filed before the effective time. The White House+1

What else is in the Proclamation?

  • Directs DOL to start a rulemaking to raise prevailing wage levels for H-1B.
  • Directs DHS to pursue a rulemaking to prioritize high-paid, high-skill cases in the lottery.
  • Allows national-interest exceptions at DHS’s discretion. The White House

Market reaction (why this matters now)

Major outlets report immediate fallout in tech and global talent markets, including an IT-sector selloff abroad and warnings from economists about growth impacts of the $100k fee. Business Insider+2The Guardian+2

The brand-new “Gold Card” program: what we know so far

On the same day, the President signed an Executive Order creating a Commerce-run “Gold Card”—an expedited immigrant visa pathway for individuals who make a $1,000,000 “gift” to the U.S. (or $2,000,000 if paid by a corporation on someone’s behalf). The EO directs agencies to treat the gift as evidence of EB-1A (extraordinary ability) or EB-2 (exceptional ability + NIW) eligibility to the extent consistent with law and to publish processes and fees within 90 days. It also contemplates possible expansion toward EB-5. Key point: statutory visa number limits still apply. The White House+1

Independent coverage has echoed the same central features (and raised policy questions) as details emerge. Bloomberg+1

Who is impacted,  and how

Employers

  • New H-1B hires (cap or cap-exempt) filing after Sept. 21, 2025 face the $100,000 payment requirement. Extensions are not impacted per USCIS’s FAQ. Budget, timing, and job-offer strategy need immediate review. USCIS
  • Expect wage-level changes and lottery prioritization proposals in coming months—these could shift case selection toward Level 3/4 wages and higher comp bands. The White House

Current H-1B workers

  • No new fee for renewals; travel remains allowed under valid H-1B status. The Proclamation focuses on new entries/petitions. USCIS

Students & early-career talent (F-1/OPT/STEM OPT)

  • FY-2026 lottery strategies should account for the new cost floor and potential lottery reprioritization toward higher wages—choose employers and roles accordingly. USCIS+1

Founders, investors, and top performers

  • The Gold Card may soon offer a fast-track immigrant option if you can meet the gift threshold and the program’s screening—but final procedures are pending and visa caps still exist. The White House

Action checklist (employers)

  1. Freeze & triage any new H-1B job offers and LMIA/LCA planning until you model the $100k requirement and timing. Document business necessity in case you seek a national-interest exception. The White House
  2. Comp strategy: move target salaries up (especially for IT roles) in anticipation of prevailing wage and lottery-priority rulemakings. The White House
  3. Portfolio approach: for critical hires, evaluate O-1 (extraordinary ability), TN (for Canadians/Mexicans), E-2(if treaty country), L-1 for multinational transfers, or cap-exempt H-1B via qualifying nonprofits. (These categories are not directly targeted by the Proclamation.) The White House
  4. Track rulemaking windows: submit public comments on DOL wage and DHS lottery proposals as soon as they open. The White House
  5. Gold Card scouting: identify executives/investors who could qualify once Commerce/State/DHS publish application mechanics within 90 days. The White House

Action checklist (foreign nationals & grads)

  • If you already hold H-1B: your extensions are not affected by the $100k payment; keep status and travel docs current. USCIS
  • If you planned to file H-1B soon: discuss alternate visa paths (O-1, TN, E-2, L-1, cap-exempt H-1B) and whether your employer can or will absorb the $100k. The White House
  • If you’re a founder/investor/top talent: watch for Gold Card application guidance; confirm how it interacts with EB-1A/EB-2 NIW criteria and visa number limits. The White House

Key dates & scope (at a glance)

  • Sept. 19, 2025: Proclamation signed; Gold Card EO signed. The White House+1
  • Sept. 21, 2025 (12:01 a.m. ET): $100k payment rule takes effect for new H-1B filings; valid for 12 monthsunless extended. The White House
  • Within 90 days (by Dec. 18, 2025): Agencies to publish Gold Card application processes and fees. The White House
  • What it does not do: change renewal fees, invalidate existing H-1Bs, or bar H-1B travel for current visa holders. USCIS

FAQs

Does the $100k apply to cap-exempt H-1Bs (universities, nonprofits)?
The Proclamation and USCIS FAQ describe a payment accompanying “any new H-1B petitions.” It does not carve out cap-exempt employers. Monitor for agency guidance/waivers under the national-interest discretion. The White House+1

Can an employer pass the $100k cost to the employee?
The Proclamation requires an employer payment and instructs DOS/USCIS to verify employer payment. Expect strict scrutiny under H-1B wage-deduction rules; further guidance may clarify prohibited cost-shifting. The White House+1

Will H-1B wage levels change immediately?
No—rulemaking is required. Expect proposed rules in the coming months, with comment periods before any final rule. The White House

Is the Gold Card a green card?
It’s an EO-created program directing agencies to treat a qualifying “gift” as evidence toward existing EB-1A/EB-2 NIW criteria and to expedite—but visa number caps and eligibility screening still apply. We’re waiting on the application mechanics. The White House

Could these actions face lawsuits?
Possibly. Similar measures have been challenged historically. For now, plan based on what’s published and adjust if courts or agencies modify implementation. The White House

Practical strategies we’re advising right now

  • Dual-track critical hires: File cap-exempt H-1B (if eligible) or O-1/TN/L-1 while assessing H-1B feasibility under the new cost structure. The White House
  • Upgrade profiles for O-1 / NIW: If you’re close on national/industry impact or extraordinary ability criteria, invest in evidence development (expert letters, publications/press, key contracts) to widen your options.
  • Model ROI per hire: for roles with high revenue or safety impact, the $100k may be justified; otherwise, consider remote hubs, near-shore teams, or internal training as bridges until rulemaking clarifies the landscape. The Guardian
  • Gold Card early candidates: Identify founders/investors prepared to meet the $1M gift threshold and start compiling EB-1A/NIW-style evidence so you can file as soon as agencies open the pipeline. The White House

Sources & primary documents

  • White House Proclamation (H-1B restriction & $100k payment; 12-month term): Sept. 19, 2025. The White House
  • USCIS H-1B FAQ (scope, renewals, travel): Sept. 21, 2025. USCIS
  • Gold Card Executive Order: Sept. 19, 2025. The White House
  • White House Gold Card Fact Sheet: Sept. 19, 2025. The White House
  • News coverage and market impact: Reuters, The Guardian, Business Insider (Sept. 22, 2025). Reuters+2The Guardian+2