Proposed US$103,265 H-1B Fee Could Reshape Global Talent and Technology Costs

Washington, D.C., United States, 24 August 2026 – The United States administration has proposed a US$103,265 fee for new H-1B visas, reopening a high-stakes debate over how the country recruits specialised foreign workers and how technology, education and research employers manage talent costs. The proposal would formalise a charge first introduced through a temporary measure and comes while related litigation continues.

The Department of Homeland Security proposal begins a 30-day public-comment period and could be finalised by the end of the year. A federal judge previously ruled that the fee was illegal and blocked collection, while an appeals court is reviewing that decision. The legal uncertainty means employers cannot yet treat the proposed charge as a settled operating cost.