Washington, 19 September 2025 — The Donald Trump administration is advancing a proposal that would require a US$100,000 annual fee for each H-1B visa application, a sweeping change to a program that has long served as a major channel for tech firms to employ foreign skilled workers.
The fee, if enacted in its current form, would represent a dramatic escalation from the existing application fees and could reshape hiring practices across U.S. technology, engineering, and research sectors.
Under the new scheme, employers seeking H-1B visas would be expected to pay the elevated cost each year, during the visa’s duration. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has defended the proposal, saying it is intended to ensure that the program is used only when essential; when companies truly need foreign talent rather than simply replacing U.S. workers. The proposal is part of broader reforms that prioritize higher prevailing wages and tougher scrutiny of how visa programs are used.
Critics are already warning of serious consequences if the fee is implemented as proposed. Many in the tech industry say it could reduce or even block access to foreign talent, especially for startups and smaller firms with thinner budgets. Workers dependent on renewals under the H-1B program could also be disproportionately affected.
Legal experts and immigration advocates are raising constitutional concerns, given that such a large fee may surpass what current law allows for cost recovery of visa processing.
Beyond the fee itself, the administration is also introducing complementary measures, including a so-called “Gold Card” visa (a high-cost pathway to residency for wealthy individuals) and elevated wage requirements for employers. While proponents argue these steps are needed to protect domestic labor and curb abuse of the visa system, industry groups counter that innovation, competitiveness, and global hiring may suffer.
The proposal has yet to take effect. There are questions about how and when implementation would begin, how “skilled” will be defined under new wage rules, and how enforcement will play out. Litigation is expected as stakeholders contest whether the executive branch has authority to unilaterally impose such steep fees.
