President Donald Trump’s new $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications has caused an immediate stir among major U.S. tech companies and foreign governments.
The White House clarified the fee applies only to new applicants in the upcoming lottery cycle; holders of current visas and renewals are exempt. It is a one-time fee, not annual, to reduce reliance on foreign workers.
The H-1B programme is crucial to many technology and finance firms, especially those employing skilled workers from India and China. Amazon, with over 14,000 H-1B holders, leads among companies, while Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google each sponsor over 4,000 visa holders.
Following the announcement, companies urged visa holders to remain in the U.S. or return quickly if abroad, due to concerns that international travel could risk immigration status under the new rules. This move reflects the administration’s goal to protect U.S. jobs by encouraging firms to hire American graduates rather than relying heavily on foreign talent.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed concern about the “humanitarian consequences” of family disruptions caused by the fee and hopes the U.S. will address these issues. South Korea is also reviewing the impact on its nationals.
Legal experts warn the fee might deter companies from sponsoring H-1B visas, potentially shrinking talent pipelines vital for American innovation. Some firms may seek alternatives like intra-company transfer visas, but these come with limitations.
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers defended the measure.
“President Trump promised to put American workers first, and this commonsense action does just that by discouraging companies from spamming the system and driving down wages. It also gives certainty to American businesses who actually want to bring high-skilled workers to our great country but have been trampled on by abuses of the system,” she stated.