The U.S. administration has announced a sweeping change to the H-1B visa program: a $100,000 application fee for skilled worker visa applicants. This executive order, set to take effect in February 2026, has sent shockwaves through the immigration and business communities.
While the White House later clarified it is a one-time fee (not annual), the policy will only apply to new applicants who are currently outside the U.S. Existing visa holders remain unaffected.
Supporters vs. Critics
- Supporters, including President Trump and his team, argue that the fee will prevent “abuse” and protect American workers by forcing companies to weigh the true cost of hiring foreign talent.
- Critics, however, believe this could devastate small and medium-sized businesses that rely on global talent.
Attorney Tahmina Watson told the BBC that this may be the “nail in the coffin” for many of her clients, noting:
“Almost everyone’s going to be priced out. This $100,000 as an entry point is going to have a devastating impact.”
Global Impact
- India, the largest source of H-1B applicants, accounted for 71% of approved visas last year. The new rule has already triggered alarm from India’s trade body, Nasscom, citing uncertainty for professionals and businesses.
- Major tech companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta could also feel the impact—though they may have the resources to absorb the cost, unlike smaller startups.
Declining Applications
H-1B applications were already at a four-year low (359,000) for the next fiscal year, well below pandemic highs. With this fee, the numbers could fall further, raising questions about America’s ability to remain competitive in the global talent race.
Full story here: H-1B: Trump adds $100,000 fee for skilled worker visa applicants