American President Donald Trump has reinforced a new policy that will restrict non-immigrants seeking entry into the US through the H-1B pathway.
Trump’s latest sanction has proven to be a direct hit targeting non-Americans intending to enter the country for work.
The US President, on Friday, September 19, 2025, signed a proclamation introducing an annual fee of $100,000, which is an equivalent of Sh 12.9 million for people looking to enter the United States under skilled worker programs.
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The new sanction applies specifically to the H-1B visa category, which grants foreign professional a chance to work in specialised sectors such as higher education, technology, aviation, healthcare and engineering.
The new rule dictates that applicants of the H-1B visas will now have to pay the hefty amount to be considered for entry in the US.
According to Trump’s administration, the stringent measure is intended to reduce job competition between American citizens and highly skilled foreign workers.
Additionally, Donald Trump approved a premium residency option dubbed the “gold card” visa which offers permanent U.S. residency to immigrants who can afford a $1 million (Sh 129.1 million) payment.
Trump has implemented a number of strict immigration controls aimed at deterring unauthorised or economically vulnerable entries since returning to office.
However, the new strategy seems to hinge on financial barriers that make it harder for lower-income applicants to qualify.
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In Kenya, the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi announced a new Integrity Fee, which raises the cost of visa applications.
Kenyan applicants must now pay a refundable $250 (Sh 32,500) Integrity Fee in addition to the standard non-refundable $185 (Sh 24,000) visa charge.
These policy changes are still subject to review by the U.S. Congress and may face legal challenges in federal courts.
Trump’s foreign policy has recently drawn criticism for its aggressive stance, with many people across the world urging him to be a bit lenient.
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