In a move sending shockwaves through the technology sector and global workforce In H-1B Visa, former U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday (September 19, 2025) announced a sweeping new fee requirement: a staggering $100,000 per year for every H-1B skilled worker visa. The proclamation, signed this week, could dramatically reshape how American companies hire international talent and intensify ongoing debates over immigration and the economy.
The H-1B non-immigrant visa program, which is intended to allow highly skilled workers who work in industries that Americans do not work in to enter the country, constitutes one of the “highly misused visa” systems within the nation’s current immigration system, according to White House staff secretary Will Scharf.
This New visa program allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialized fields such as engineering, IT, healthcare, and research. Traditionally, the application process involves filing fees ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the company’s size and circumstances. Trump’s new rule would replace that modest structure with a flat $100,000 annual fee for every H‑1B visa holder a tenfold increase compared to existing costs.
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“Mr. Lutnick noted that, historically, the employment-based Green Card program admitted about 281,000 people each year. On average, they earned around $66,000 annually and were five times more likely to rely on government assistance programs.”
Major tech firms, including Silicon Valley giants like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta, have long relied on H-1B visas to fill roles requiring advanced skills. Analysts warn that the new fee could deter companies from hiring abroad, forcing them to reconsider global recruitment strategies.
Industry experts argue that such a policy could slow innovation in the U.S., drive companies to expand operations overseas, and make the country less competitive in attracting top talent. Some startups, already working on tight budgets, may find the fee impossible to absorb.
An employee’s visa may be extended until permanent residency is granted if their employer sponsors them for a Green Card. However, Indians in the United States on work visas are stuck in a decades-long wait for Green Cards, and if their employers choose not to pay the $1,000,000 yearly cost now needed to keep the visas, the new action may affect their ability to stay in the country.
For skilled workers abroad hoping to secure employment in the United States, the announcement has created deep uncertainty. Many fear that opportunities to work in the U.S. will shrink as companies re‑evaluate the costs of sponsorship. Critics argue that the policy punishes both employers and talented individuals who contribute to America’s economy and innovation pipeline.
Supporters of the policy see it as a strong step toward prioritizing American workers, framing the H-1B fee as a deterrent to companies they believe over‑rely on foreign talent. “It’s about fairness for U.S. workers,” Trump said in remarks accompanying the proclamation.
Opponents, however, call the move “extreme” and “economically dangerous.” Business groups and immigration advocates are preparing legal challenges, citing the potential damage to America’s global competitiveness. The H-1B program currently offers 65,000 visas annually to employers hiring temporary foreign workers in specialized fields, with an additional 20,000 visas reserved for those holding advanced degrees. Economists warn that while the policy may push some companies to hire locally, it could also lead to higher costs, labor shortages, and slower growth.
The $100,000 H-1B fee is likely to face significant political and legal hurdles before implementation. Tech coalitions and advocacy groups are already mobilizing to challenge the measure in court. Meanwhile, thousands of skilled workers and employers are left in limbo, waiting to see if the sweeping fee will take effect.