WASHINGTON, D.C.: The White House rushed to calm fears among immigrant workers after President Donald Trump's plan to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas sparked widespread confusion. Officials clarified that the new charge will apply only to first-time applicants, not to current visa holders or renewals.

Trump signed the proclamation Friday alongside Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, saying the higher cost would apply to visas used by tech companies to fill high-skilled roles. The fee takes effect at 12:01 a.m. ET Sunday and is set to expire after one year, though the administration could extend it.

"Those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently outside of the country right now will NOT be charged $100,000 to re-enter," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X. "This applies only to new visas, not renewals, and not current visa holders."

The clarification followed criticism from immigration lawyers who said the move injected chaos into the visa system with little notice. "This inserts total chaos in existing H-1B process with basically a day's notice," Kathleen Campbell Walker, an attorney with Dickinson Wright, wrote on LinkedIn.

Lutnick initially told reporters the fee would be an annual charge for companies, but a White House official later said it was a one-time cost, though renewal policy "is under discussion."

India's government, whose nationals make up more than 70% of H-1B holders, voiced concern about humanitarian and economic consequences. The Ministry of External Affairs said the plan "was being studied by all concerned, including by Indian industry."

Trump also unveiled new options for wealthy immigrants, including a $1 million "gold card" visa with a path to citizenship and a $5 million "platinum card" that would let foreigners spend up to 270 days a year in the U.S. without paying taxes on overseas income. Lutnick said the platinum card requires congressional approval.

Critics of the H-1B program, who argue it undercuts U.S. workers, praised the move. Advocacy group U.S. Tech Workers called the measure "the next best thing" to abolishing the visas.

But business leaders warned of disruption. "We're concerned about the impact on employees, their families and American employers," the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said. Major tech firms including Amazon, Apple, Google and Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Doug Rand, a former U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services official, called the fee hike "ludicrously lawless" and "fan service for immigration restrictionists," predicting legal challenges.

H-1B visas are capped at 85,000 annually and distributed by lottery. Amazon was the top recipient this year, with more than 10,000 visas, followed by Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Apple and Google.