Trump Administration Imposes $100K Fee on H-1B Visa Applications.
The Trump administration has announced a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, significantly raising costs for companies that rely on the program to recruit highly skilled foreign workers.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order late Friday requiring the additional payment and barring H-1B holders from entering the U.S. without it. “We’re going to keep productive people in our country, and companies are prepared to pay for that — and they’re happy about it,” Trump said.
The new fee will hit major employers such as Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, and Google, all of which have long depended on the program. H-1B visas already cost between $1,700 and $4,500 depending on processing time, costs usually borne by employers.
Supporters of the move argue it will ensure only highly skilled workers enter the U.S. while protecting American jobs. A White House aide said the change would “guarantee that companies hire truly extraordinary people who cannot be easily replaced by American workers.”
However, critics warn the policy could backfire. Stuart Anderson, executive director of the National Foundation for American Policy, cautioned that higher costs may push companies to move jobs abroad, especially in research and development. He also noted the move could discourage international students from enrolling in U.S. universities if post-graduation work opportunities shrink.
H-1B visas, awarded by lottery, require at least a bachelor’s degree and a job offer from a U.S. employer. In 2024, Amazon was the largest recipient, securing over 10,000 visas, followed by Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Apple, and Google. The most common job type for visa holders last year was software development.
Bloomberg reported that Trump will also direct the Labor Secretary to revise wage rules for the program. Currently, employers must pay either the prevailing wage or the actual wage offered to similarly qualified workers, whichever is higher.
The Trump administration has announced a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, significantly raising costs for companies that rely on the program to recruit highly skilled foreign workers.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order late Friday requiring the additional payment and barring H-1B holders from entering the U.S. without it. “We’re going to keep productive people in our country, and companies are prepared to pay for that — and they’re happy about it,” Trump said.
The new fee will hit major employers such as Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, and Google, all of which have long depended on the program. H-1B visas already cost between $1,700 and $4,500 depending on processing time, costs usually borne by employers.
Supporters of the move argue it will ensure only highly skilled workers enter the U.S. while protecting American jobs. A White House aide said the change would “guarantee that companies hire truly extraordinary people who cannot be easily replaced by American workers.”
However, critics warn the policy could backfire. Stuart Anderson, executive director of the National Foundation for American Policy, cautioned that higher costs may push companies to move jobs abroad, especially in research and development. He also noted the move could discourage international students from enrolling in U.S. universities if post-graduation work opportunities shrink.
H-1B visas, awarded by lottery, require at least a bachelor’s degree and a job offer from a U.S. employer. In 2024, Amazon was the largest recipient, securing over 10,000 visas, followed by Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Apple, and Google. The most common job type for visa holders last year was software development.
Bloomberg reported that Trump will also direct the Labor Secretary to revise wage rules for the program. Currently, employers must pay either the prevailing wage or the actual wage offered to similarly qualified workers, whichever is higher.
Trump Administration Imposes $100K Fee on H-1B Visa Applications.
The Trump administration has announced a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, significantly raising costs for companies that rely on the program to recruit highly skilled foreign workers.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order late Friday requiring the additional payment and barring H-1B holders from entering the U.S. without it. “We’re going to keep productive people in our country, and companies are prepared to pay for that — and they’re happy about it,” Trump said.
The new fee will hit major employers such as Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, and Google, all of which have long depended on the program. H-1B visas already cost between $1,700 and $4,500 depending on processing time, costs usually borne by employers.
Supporters of the move argue it will ensure only highly skilled workers enter the U.S. while protecting American jobs. A White House aide said the change would “guarantee that companies hire truly extraordinary people who cannot be easily replaced by American workers.”
However, critics warn the policy could backfire. Stuart Anderson, executive director of the National Foundation for American Policy, cautioned that higher costs may push companies to move jobs abroad, especially in research and development. He also noted the move could discourage international students from enrolling in U.S. universities if post-graduation work opportunities shrink.
H-1B visas, awarded by lottery, require at least a bachelor’s degree and a job offer from a U.S. employer. In 2024, Amazon was the largest recipient, securing over 10,000 visas, followed by Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Apple, and Google. The most common job type for visa holders last year was software development.
Bloomberg reported that Trump will also direct the Labor Secretary to revise wage rules for the program. Currently, employers must pay either the prevailing wage or the actual wage offered to similarly qualified workers, whichever is higher.
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