Kochi: The US hiked H-1B visas fee to a staggering $1,00,000 annually from the existing rate of $1,500, even as it brought a Gold Card programme offering scope for a Green Card, BBC reported.
President Donald Trump signed the proclamation to ensure that the people being brought into the country are “actually very highly skilled” and do not replace American workers.
White House staff secretary Will Scharf said the H-1B non-immigrant visa programme is one of the “most abused visa” systems in the country’s current immigration system.
The move allows companies to hire
“truly extraordinary people” and bring them to the United States. Companies pay to sponsor H-1B applicants.
“The employment-based Green Card programme let in 2,81,000 people a year, and those people earned $66,000 a year on average and were five times more likely to participate in assistance programmes of the government.
The visas are valid for three years and can be renewed for another three years.
Trump also signed an executive order entitled ‘The Gold Card’, aimed at setting up a new visa pathway for foreigners of extraordinary ability who are committed to supporting the United States.
Under the Gold Card programme, individuals who can pay $1 million to the U.S. Treasury, or $2 million if a corporation is sponsoring them, will get access to expedited visa treatment and a path to a Green Card in the country.
H1B Visa is costly
