White House: H-1B Visas Will Not Target Renewal Applicants
United States - White House 20 clarified the specific regulations on the new $100,000 annual fee for U.S. H-1B work visas. A White House official who did not want to reveal his surname told AFP: "This is a one-time fee, applicable only to new applicants, not to renewal or current visa holders."
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick insisted on Friday that this measure was intentional, aiming to "prevent people from taking our jobs." The U.S. Commerce Secretary explained that if large technology companies continue to hire foreign employees, they will have to "pay $100,000 to the government first, and then pay the employees' wages. It's not worth it."
Trump has long expressed his desire to limit H-1B visas to prioritize Americans. In recent years, the number of applications for these visas has increased significantly, reaching a peak in 2022 under former President Joe Biden.
About 400,000 H-1B visas were approved in the United States in 2024, two-thirds of which were renewals.
Technology entrepreneurs, including former Trump ally Elon Musk, have warned against targeting H-1B visas, arguing that there are not enough skilled workers domestically to meet the industry's needs.
India's Minister of Commerce to Visit the United States
India's Minister of Commerce, Goyal, will visit the United States on the 22nd. It is currently unclear whether India will discuss several issues with the Trump administration, including increasing H-1B visa fees, reducing requirements to purchase oil from Russia, and opening up India's agriculture and dairy markets to American businesses.
The Trump administration issued an executive order on the 19th requiring companies to pay $100,000 per H-1B visa annually, effective at midnight on the 20th. India said the move would impact its vast information technology services industry.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843828036498435/
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