H1B Fee Set to Rise by $100,000 Under Trump Administration

The Trump administration plans to add a $100,000 fee to H-1B visa applications. The new cost will target U.S. companies that hire foreign workers. Officials confirmed the plan could be signed as soon as Friday.

The H-1B visa program is used by tech firms to hire skilled talent. Companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and IBM rely on it. The new fee would make applications far more expensive than today.

H1B Fee Increase and What It Means

At present, the H-1B visa costs between $1,700 and $4,500. The exact price depends on processing speed. Many employers already view the cost as a standard business expense.

The new $100,000 charge will be added on top of these fees. That means a single visa application could now cross $100,000. Bloomberg and CBS News confirmed the plan with White House sources.

The H-1B program issues 65,000 visas a year. An extra 20,000 are available for applicants with a master’s degree or higher. The most common role for H-1B hires is software developer, according to U.S. labor data.

Impact on Tech and Foreign Workers

Tech giants are the largest sponsors of H-1B visas. Amazon alone received the most approvals in 2024. The new fee would increase costs sharply for these companies.

Employers argue the program is vital for innovation. Critics say it lets firms hire workers for lower pay than Americans. The new policy may reshape how companies hire global talent.

President Trump is also ordering wage rule updates. The Labor Department will review how pay levels are set. At present, companies must offer at least the prevailing wage for similar jobs.

Broader Impact and Industry Response

Industry groups are expected to push back. The new costs could limit access to talent for U.S. firms. Smaller businesses may not afford to pay such high fees.

Analysts say the plan could reduce the number of foreign workers. This may slow tech growth and push jobs overseas. The debate highlights ongoing tension between immigration and job protection.

The H1B fee hike marks one of the most dramatic changes to the program. The move will impact both U.S. companies and foreign professionals. Many await the final order to see how it will be enforced.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is the new H1B fee?

The new plan adds a $100,000 fee to H-1B visa applications. This will be on top of current costs of $1,700 to $4,500.

Q2: Who will pay the fee?

Employers will cover the fee. The cost is seen as a business expense when hiring foreign workers.

Q3: Which companies use H1B visas most?

Tech firms such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and IBM are among the largest users. Amazon had the highest approvals in 2024.

Q4: How many H1B visas are issued each year?

The cap is 65,000 visas per year. An extra 20,000 are available for applicants with advanced degrees.

Q5: Why is the fee being increased?

The Trump administration says the change protects U.S. jobs. Critics see it as a way to reduce foreign worker hiring.