Trump Unveils H-1B Visa Fee and Gender Ideology Grant Restrictions

Lead President Trump issued two executive actions on September 19, 2025, introducing a $100,000 application fee for H-1B visas and directing agencies to consider “gender ideology” when awarding cultural grants.

Nut Graf The visa fee aims to curb tech firms’ reliance on foreign talent, while the grant directive reflects the administration’s broader cultural agenda. Both orders are poised to reshape immigration and arts funding policies nationwide.

Visa Overhaul

• $100,000 Fee: Trump’s proclamation imposes a six-figure charge on H-1B visa applicants to discourage firms from using foreign workers for specialized roles.
• Wage Revisions: The order also mandates heightened prevailing wage standards, further tightening access for international tech professionals.
• Industry Impact: Major employers like Amazon, Microsoft and Meta, which together secure tens of thousands of H-1B visas annually, face steeper costs and stricter hiring criteria.

Arts Funding Directive

• “Gender Ideology” Clause: A parallel executive order instructs the National Endowment for the Arts and other agencies to factor an applicant’s promotion of only two genders when evaluating grants.
• Legal Challenge: A federal judge in Rhode Island had already blocked the NEA’s prior policy under the First Amendment; the new directive revives the issue by guiding rather than mandating grant denials.
• Free Speech Concerns: Critics warn the measure could chill creative expression and limit projects featuring transgender or LGBTQ themes.

Outlook The H-1B fee order takes effect immediately, prompting tech companies to reassess international hiring strategies. Meanwhile, the arts funding directive will spark fresh litigation over government authority to influence grant decisions based on ideological criteria.