Trump Targets H-1B Skilled Worker Programme with $100,000-Plus Visa Fee
Synopsis
US employers currently pay between $2,000 and $5,000 to use the H-1B programme for foreign technology and other skilled workers, but Trump is seeking a permanent fee increase to more than $100,000 as part of his immigration crackdown.
US employers could face a permanent increase in the cost of hiring skilled foreign workers as the Trump administration moves to make its controversial H-1B visa fee hike a lasting policy.
It is raising fresh concerns for technology companies and other industries that rely on overseas talent.
The Department of Homeland Security this week proposed setting the fee at $103,265 after President Donald Trump last year raised it to $100,000. The temporary increase is due to expire in September.
The proposed rule would make the higher charge permanent, although ongoing legal challenges could affect its future.
Why the H-1B Program Matters
Created by Congress in 1990, the H-1B programme allows US employers to hire foreign professionals with specialised skills, typically for three years, with the possibility of extending their visas to six years.
The programme is particularly important to the technology sector where companies recruit heavily from India and China.
Major H-1B sponsors also include consulting firms such as Deloitte, PwC and Ernst & Young, alongside technology services companies including Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, HCL Tech and LTIMindtree.
Business groups argue that the visas help companies address shortages of qualified workers. Critics, however, contend that some employers use the programme to hire foreign workers at lower costs than American employees.
Legal Battles Could Shape the Future
Trump’s fee increase has already triggered multiple lawsuits.
A federal judge in June ruled that the $100,000 fee was illegal and blocked the administration from collecting it. The case is now under review by a Boston-based appeals court.
Separately, the US Chamber of Commerce is challenging the fee while Democratic-led states, unions and employers have also brought legal action.
The cases could be expanded to challenge the proposed permanent fee once the rule is finalised.
Employers Face Broader Visa Scrutiny
The administration has also tightened scrutiny of H-1B applicants. The State Department ordered US consulates to review applicants’ LinkedIn profiles and resumes, particularly those in technology, as part of enhanced vetting.
The changes are already influencing corporate decisions with some major H-1B users reportedly increasing operations in India.
Meanwhile, demand for the programme has declined. Employers registered for about 344,000 H-1B visas in 2025, down more than 25% from 2024 and less than half the 759,000 registrations recorded in 2023.
Source: Reuters
Vishal is an experienced Editor at Inspirepreneur Magazine with key interests in artificial intelligence, eCommerce, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and startup sector. Prior to joining Inspirepreneur, he was a Content Writer cum Correspondent at Siliconindia Magazine, where he worked on Company Profiles, Cover Stories, Executive Profiles, Feature Articles and Thought Leadership content.
