Immigration Law Review - UK and USA

  Executive Order and Timeline   On September 19, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order to create a “Gold Card” program for high-net-worth individuals, with implementing processes to be established within 90 days. If agencies meet that deadline, initial procedures could be in place by late December 2025. Actual launch will depend on rulemaking, interagency coordination, and operational readiness. Costs   ·       $1 million for an individual applicant. ·        $2 million for a corporate nomination of an individual. ·        $5 million for a special tax designation. Note: this figure is described as appearing on the White House’s Gold Card website rather than in the Executive Order itself. Open Questions What are the procedures for expedited processing based on a monetary gift or contribution to the United States? Which existing immigration processes will be modified, and ...

  Yesterday (September 20, 2025), President Trump issued an executive order (“EO”) requiring a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas. This EO will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on September 21, 2025, and will expire after 12 months, unless extended. Subsequently, the White House press secretary clarified the following points: This is NOT an annual fee. It’s a one-time fee that applies only to new visas. It does not apply to renewals. Current H-1B visa holders who are currently outside of the USA will NOT be charged $100,000 to re-enter. H-1B visa holders can leave and re-enter the USA to the same extent as they normally would. OPT to H1B When someone transitions from OPT to H1B, it is technically a “change of status” and such a change may not be hit by this new fee. Grounds for legal challenge 31 U.S.C. 9701 (the “User Fee Statute”) authorizes US government agencies to charge user fees for services and requires fees to be “fair” and based on factors like...