Summary
The U.S. government plans to change fees and processes for the H-1B visa, which companies use to hire skilled foreign workers. A proposed $100,000 fee could especially impact startups that rely on this program. This change aims to prioritize higher-paying jobs and may force employers to explore other hiring options.
Key Facts
- New fees proposed for the H-1B visa program could make it harder for startups to hire foreign talent.
- The H-1B visa helps U.S. companies bring in skilled workers, especially in fields like technology and health care.
- The government plans to shift from a lottery system to prioritize higher-paying jobs in H-1B selections.
- A $100,000 fee is suggested for certain H-1B petitions which could reduce applications from outside the U.S.
- The H-1B selection rate increased despite fewer applications, due to recent changes.
- Current visa holders and applications before the announcement are not affected by the new fee.
- Health care workers are exempt from the proposed fee changes.
- The H-1B visa cap of 85,000 impacts hiring in specialized fields like engineering and computer science.
