Details of Trump’s $100,000 H1-B Visa Executive Order

President Donald Trump signed a significant proclamation on Friday. It imposes a major new fee on companies hiring foreign workers. The new rule targets the widely used H-1B visa program.

The order claims the program is systematically abused. It states this abuse poses a national security threat. The new $100,000 fee aims to curb these practices immediately.

New H-1B Visa Rules Aim to Protect American Workers

The executive order takes effect on September 21st. It mandates a $100,000 payment for each H-1B visa petition. This move directly impacts the technology sector.

According to the proclamation, the H-1B program has been manipulated. The White House states it is used to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. This has suppressed wages and hurt opportunities for US graduates.

The policy cites data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. It highlights high unemployment rates among recent computer science graduates. The administration argues this is a direct result of visa program abuse.

Tech Industry and Outsourcing Firms Face Maximum Impact

Information technology firms are identified as the primary abusers. The order states their use of H-1B visas grew from 32% in 2003 to over 65% recently. Outsourcing companies are specifically named as prolific users.

The proclamation references several alarming examples. It notes one software company approved for over 5,000 H-1B workers in FY 2025. That same company announced layoffs of 15,000 employees around the same time.

Another firm was approved for nearly 1,700 H-1B workers. It then announced laying off 2,400 American workers in Oregon. These practices have drawn sharp criticism from the administration.

The new $100,000 H-1B visa fee represents the most significant change to the program in decades. It aims to deter the replacement of American workers while still allowing access to top global talent. The policy’s long-term impact on the tech industry remains to be seen.

Info at your fingertips

What is the new H-1B visa fee?

Companies must now pay $100,000 for each H-1B visa petition. This fee is in addition to existing costs. The rule aims to discourage replacing US workers with cheaper foreign labor.

When does the new rule take effect?

The proclamation takes effect on September 21, 2025. It is set to expire after 12 months unless extended. The Department of Homeland Security will implement the changes.

Which companies are most affected?

Information technology and outsourcing firms face the greatest impact. These companies have historically used the most H-1B visas. The order specifically mentions these sectors as abusers of the program.

Are there any exceptions to the fee?

The Secretary of Homeland Security can waive the fee. This can happen if hiring is in the national interest. The waiver also applies if no security threat exists.

How does this affect current H-1B visa holders?

The order primarily affects new petitions. Current visa holders should not be immediately impacted. The changes focus on future hiring processes.

Why is this being implemented now?

The administration cites protecting American workers as urgent. It claims systemic abuse requires immediate action. National security concerns are also referenced.