An article summarized by Reuters:
The Trump administration has proposed making a $103,265 fee for new H-1B visas permanent, dramatically increasing the cost of hiring highly skilled foreign workers. The fee was initially introduced temporarily last year but was blocked by a federal judge in June after being challenged in court. The current temporary fee is set to expire in September, while the new regulation could be finalized by the end of 2026.
The H-1B program allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in specialized fields, with 65,000 standard visas and 20,000 additional visas for workers with advanced degrees issued annually. Before Trump’s increase, employers typically paid between $2,000 and $5,000 in fees. The proposed $103,265 charge would not apply to foreign students already in the U.S. switching into H-1B status or to existing visa renewals, limiting its impact primarily to new workers entering the country from abroad.
The policy has sparked a major debate over immigration and the American workforce. Trump and other critics argue companies use H-1B visas to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor, while businesses argue the program is necessary to fill specialized jobs and attract global talent. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Democratic-led states, unions and employers are challenging the fee in court, arguing the administration lacks authority to impose such a massive charge without Congress. Meanwhile, H-1B demand has already fallen significantly, with about 344,000 registrations last year, more than 25% below 2024 and less than half the number from 2023.
