Trump's visa strategy: Keep announcing sky-high fees until one sticks

The Trump administration is once again considering an eye-catching immigration charge: a $100,000 fee for international graduates seeking to work in the US under Optional Practical Training (OPT). If implemented, it would become one of the costliest immigration-related charges ever proposed in the country. The White House has said there is no imminent policy change, but did not deny that the proposal is under consideration.

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The proposal, reported by Wall Street Journal, is not an isolated move. Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has repeatedly unveiled immigration measures carrying unusually large price tags—from a $100,000 H-1B visa fee to a "Gold Card" residency programme priced at up to $5 million and a proposed $100,000 bond for some green card applicants. Some have survived, others have landed in court, while a few remain under discussion.


Here's a look at Trump's biggest immigration fee announcements and where they stand today.

$100,000 OPT fee for international students

Announced: Under consideration (July 2026)

The latest proposal would require international students to pay $100,000 to continue working in the US after graduation under Optional Practical Training (OPT).

OPT allows graduates on F-1 student visas to work in jobs related to their field of study after completing their education. Nearly 300,000 international students were on OPT as of last fall, according to the Institute of International Education, representing roughly one-fourth of all foreign students in the US.

The Trump administration has repeatedly criticised the programme, arguing that it enables visa fraud and allows foreign nationals to remain in the country longer than intended. The proposal comes weeks after the Department of Homeland Security ended the decades-old "duration of status" policy for student visas, replacing it with a fixed stay of up to four years unless an extension is granted.

Status: Under consideration. The White House says no policy change is imminent.

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$100,000 H-1B visa fee

Announced: September 2025

Perhaps the most controversial proposal was Trump's decision to require employers hiring new H-1B workers from abroad to pay a one-time $100,000 fee in addition to existing visa charges.

The administration argued the fee would discourage companies from relying on foreign workers and encourage them to hire Americans instead. Before the change, employers typically paid a few thousand dollars in filing fees.

What happened?

The policy quickly faced legal challenges.

A federal judge ruled that the administration had exceeded its authority because the fee functioned more like a tax than an administrative charge. The government appealed, but a federal appeals court recently refused to restore the fee while litigation continues. Following the ruling, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) paused collecting the $100,000 payment.

Current status: Blocked by courts; collections paused.

The Gold Card residency programme

First announced: February 2025

Trump also proposed replacing the long-running EB-5 investor visa with a new "Gold Card".

Initially pitched as costing $5 million, the programme was later discussed by administration officials as a $1 million residency pathway in subsequent announcements.

Unlike traditional investment visas, the Gold Card was promoted as a premium route to permanent US residence for wealthy foreigners willing to make a substantial payment.

What happened?

Despite repeated promotion by Trump, the programme has yet to be fully implemented and key details—including eligibility, legal authority and pricing—have evolved over time.

Current status: Proposed; implementation remains uncertain.

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$100,000 green card bond

Reported: July 2026

The administration is also considering requiring certain immigrants applying for permanent residence from abroad to post a $100,000 bond.

Unlike a fee, the bond would be refundable only after the immigrant satisfies specified conditions, with officials arguing it would help ensure newcomers are financially self-sufficient. Critics say it would create a wealth barrier to legal immigration.

What happened?

The proposal remains under development and has not yet taken effect.

Current status: Under consideration.

$100,000 OPT work authorisation fee

Reported: July 2026

The latest proposal would require many international students who want to remain in the US after graduation under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme to pay $100,000.

OPT allows eligible graduates to work temporarily in jobs related to their field of study, making it one of the main pathways from US education to employment.

Universities and employers have warned such a charge could sharply reduce international student enrolment and make US higher education less competitive globally.

What happened?

The proposal has not yet been finalised, and officials have not clarified whether students, employers or universities would ultimately bear the cost.

Current status: Being considered.

A pattern of headline-grabbing price tags

Although the proposals target different immigration categories—students, skilled workers, investors and prospective permanent residents—taken together, these proposals show a clear pattern.

Rather than making incremental adjustments to immigration filing fees, the Trump administration has repeatedly floated six-figure charges or high-value financial requirements aimed at reshaping legal immigration. Supporters say the measures prioritise American workers, reduce misuse of visa programmes and ensure immigrants are financially independent.

Critics argue many of the proposals rely on executive authority that may not withstand judicial scrutiny, as demonstrated by the courts' rejection of the $100,000 H-1B fee.