WASHINGTON DC: President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order on Friday, September 19, introducing a $100,000 fee for all H-1B visa applications, according to a White House official.
The policy marks the latest in a series of restrictions targeting immigration and foreign labour, with the administration framing the move as a way to curb what it describes as the exploitation of the visa system by corporations seeking cheaper labour.
Under the new directive, applicants will not be granted entry under the H-1B program unless the hefty fee is paid. The H-1B visa, which admits hundreds of thousands of skilled workers into the U.S. annually, has long been vital to the American technology sector and other industries.
Critics warn that the new cost barrier could discourage top global talent from seeking opportunities in the U.S. Adding such an astronomical fee disincentivizes the smartest minds from coming here, said Deedy Das, partner at Menlo Ventures, on X (formerly Twitter).
If the U.S. stops attracting the best talent, it limits innovation and weakens the economy.
The $100,000 price tag is expected to hit smaller tech companies and start-ups hardest, as they may struggle to absorb the added expense.
Larger firms like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta each of which secured thousands of H-1B visas in the first half of 2025 may weather the costs more easily.
Government data shows that about two-thirds of H-1B roles are computer-related, though the program also covers engineers, educators, and healthcare professionals.
India remains the largest beneficiary, accounting for 71% of visa approvals last year, with China in second place at 11.7%.
Supporters of the policy argue that U.S. workers are often undercut by lower wages paid to foreign talent, while critics insist the measure risks pushing companies to offshore jobs instead of hiring locally.
The decision has already sparked debate within the business and tech community, where many fear the U.S. could lose its edge in global innovation.
