President Donald Trump has issued a proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, a sharp increase from the current $215 lottery registration charge.
The H-1B program, which allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialized fields such as technology, engineering, and medicine, will now face its most significant cost hike since its inception. Each year, 65,000 visas are available, along with 20,000 additional slots for graduates of U.S. advanced degree programs.
The administration said the measure is designed to curb misuse of the program, citing rising unemployment among recent computer science graduates and a growing reliance on foreign workers in IT roles. Officials framed the decision as both an economic safeguard and a national security necessity.
Industry leaders, however, warned that the move could damage the U.S. technology sector. The program has historically been a key entry point for talent that helped build companies such as Tesla and Instagram, whose founders, Elon Musk and Mike Krieger, both held H-1B visas early in their careers.
Major tech firms, including Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, have advised employees on H-1B visas to limit international travel amid the uncertainty. Critics argue the fee will discourage highly skilled workers from seeking opportunities in the United States and may push them toward countries with more favorable immigration policies.
The proclamation also calls for a review of wage requirements tied to H-1B holders, aiming to ensure that foreign workers are not undercutting U.S. salaries. Certain exemptions may apply for cases deemed to be in the national interest.
