Trump administration seeks to formalise H-1B fee of more than $100,000
Summary
President Donald Trump’s administration has proposed a new rule to make a $103,265 fee for H-1B work visas permanent. This fee would greatly increase the cost for employers who hire highly skilled foreign workers in fields like tech and research. The proposal is open for public comments before it can be finalized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).Key Facts
- The proposed fee for H-1B visas is $103,265, a large increase from previous fees of about $2,000 to $5,000.
- The rule was published in the US Federal Register and has a 30-day public comment period.
- The H-1B program allows US employers to hire 65,000 foreign workers annually, plus 20,000 more with advanced degrees.
- Last year, President Trump temporarily imposed a $100,000 fee, but it was blocked by court rulings.
- A federal judge ruled the fee illegal, but appeals and court cases are ongoing.
- The fee aims to reduce H-1B visa use, which dropped by over 25% in 2024 compared to 2023.
- Critics say the visa program is misused to replace US workers with cheaper foreign labor; supporters say it helps fill skill gaps in the US workforce.
- Legal challenges argue the president cannot override laws that created the H-1B program and that DHS lacks authority to impose fees without Congress’s approval.
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