Trump Administration Imposes $100,000 Fee on H-1B Visa Applications
The Trump administration announced a dramatic change to the H-1B program on Friday: companies seeking to sponsor H-1B workers must now pay an additional $100,000 fee per application, and H-1B holders will be barred from entering the United States unless the fee is paid.
According to the White House announcement, President Donald Trump signed an executive order late Friday requiring employers to pay the newly instituted $100,000 charge for each H-1B application. The change significantly increases the cost of hiring foreign skilled workers through the program, which already carries processing fees that typically range from about $1,700 to $4,500 depending on processing options.
“We’re going to keep productive people in our country, and companies are prepared to pay for that — and they’re happy about it,” President Trump said in a statement accompanying the order.
“We’re going to keep productive people in our country, and companies are prepared to pay for that — and they’re happy about it.” — President Donald Trump
Major technology and consulting employers that have historically relied on H-1B workers — including Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, and Google — stand to be affected by the new fee. H-1B petitions are often filed by employers rather than individual applicants, meaning firms would bear the bulk of the newly imposed cost.
Supporters of the policy say the fee will restrict the program to only the most exceptional candidates and protect U.S. workers’ opportunities. A White House aide described the change as a mechanism to “guarantee that companies hire truly extraordinary people who cannot be easily replaced by American workers.”
But the move has drawn sharp criticism from business and immigration policy observers. Stuart Anderson, executive director of the National Foundation for American Policy, warned that dramatically higher fees could encourage companies to relocate jobs and research functions overseas rather than absorb the added cost.
Critics also point to potential downstream effects on U.S. higher education and tech talent pipelines: higher post-graduation barriers to work could deter international students from studying at American universities, which in turn may reduce the future supply of highly skilled workers.
How the H-1B program works (quick overview)
The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant classification for foreign workers in specialty occupations that usually require at least a bachelor’s degree and a valid job offer from a U.S. employer. H-1B petitions are often awarded via a lottery when demand exceeds annual limits. Employers typically cover application and filing fees.
Numbers & sectors affected
In recent years, technology firms have been among the largest sponsors of H-1B visas. In 2024, Amazon was the largest recipient — securing over 10,000 H-1B approvals — followed by companies such as Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Apple, and Google. Software development roles remain the most common occupation among H-1B recipients.
Labor rules & wage guidance
The administration also intends to direct the Labor Secretary to revisit how wages for H-1B positions are determined. Today, employers must pay either the prevailing wage for the occupation and location or the actual wage paid to similarly qualified workers — whichever is higher. Any changes to wage rules could further affect employers’ hiring calculations and costs.
Possible implications
- Higher costs for employers could reduce the number of H-1B petitions filed or shift hiring offshore.
- Discouragement of international students who view U.S. post-study work options as limited.
- Potential talent shortages in sectors that rely on global recruiting, particularly technology and specialized research roles.
As this policy is implemented, employers, universities, and immigration advocates will be watching closely for additional regulatory guidance and any legal challenges that may arise.