White House clarifies H-1B visa rules after | Political News

The White House on Saturday scrambled to make clear the small print behind the Trump administration’s new $100,000 charge on H-1B visas for expert tech staff, its latest effort to discourage immigration by non-wealthy foreigners to America.

President Donald Trump‘s announcement on Friday induced confusion among some tech firms and immigrant staff who lacked certainty over whether or not the large charge would apply to current visa holders or solely new candidates.

“Those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently outside of the country right now will NOT be charged $100,000 to re-enter,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X on Saturday. “This applies only to new visas, not renewals, and not current visa holders.”

The charge takes impact at 12:01 a.m. ET Sunday. It is scheduled to expire after a yr. But it may very well be prolonged if the federal government determines that it’s in the curiosity of the United States to keep it, according to The Associated Press.

The White House in a social media post also sought to make clear the new rule “does not impact the ability of any current visa holder to travel to/from the U.S.”

But a White House official said Saturday that it’s a “one-time fee.” Asked if Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s feedback sowed confusion, the official, who was not approved to remark publicly about the matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the new charge “currently does not apply to renewals but that policy is under discussion.”

Meanwhile, India’s authorities expressed concern Saturday that the Trump administration transfer would dramatically raise the charge for visas that convey tech staff from there and other international locations to the United States.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs declared the new rule would possible have “humanitarian penalties,” as more than 70% of H-1B visa holders are from India.

The Ministry said Saturday that Trump’s plan “was being studied by all concerned, including by Indian industry.”

The ministry warned that ”this measure is probably going to have humanitarian penalties by means of the disruption induced for households. Government hopes that these disruptions will be addressed suitably by the U.S. authorities.″

Trump also rolled out a $1 million “gold card” visa for rich people. The strikes face near-certain legal challenges amid widespread criticism he’s sidestepping Congress. To make certain, if the strikes survive legal muster, they are going to ship staggering price will increase. The visa charge for expert staff would bounce from $215.

H-1B visas, which require at least a bachelor’s degree, are meant for high-skilled jobs that tech firms discover tough to fill. Critics say this system undercuts American staff, luring people from abroad who are often keen to work for as little as $60,000 yearly. That is properly below the $100,000-plus salaries sometimes paid to U.S. technology staff.

Trump on Friday insisted that the tech industry wouldn’t oppose the transfer. Lutnick, meanwhile, claimed “all big companies” are on board.

The “Trump Platinum Card” shall be accessible for $5 million and permits foreigners to spend up to 270 days in the U.S. without being subject to U.S. taxes on non-U.S. income. Trump announced a $5 million gold card in February to change an present investor visa — this is now the platinum card.

Lutnick said the gold and platinum playing cards would change employment-based visas that offer paths to citizenship, including for professors, scientists, artists and athletes.

Critics of H-1Bs visas who say they’re used to change American staff applauded the transfer. U.S. Tech Workers, an advocacy group, called it “the next best thing” to abolishing the visas altogether.

Doug Rand, a senior official at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services during the Biden administration, said the proposed charge increase was “ludicrously lawless.”

“This isn’t real policy — it’s fan service for immigration restrictionists,” Rand said. “Trump gets his headlines, and inflicts a jolt of panic, and doesn’t care whether this survives first contact with the courts.”