Trump Administration Proposes $103,265 Fee for H-1B Skilled Worker Visas
Xinhua · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The Trump administration has unveiled a new $103,265 fee for H-1B visa cap-subject petitions, reviving efforts to impose steep charges on employers seeking to hire skilled foreign workers after a federal court blocked an earlier $100,000 fee proposal. The Department of Homeland Security contends the charge would recoup costs incurred by multiple federal agencies in processing immigration applications while simultaneously discouraging H-1B hiring over qualified American candidates. The proposal is open for public comment for 30 days before taking effect.
Key Points
- The proposed fee targets H-1B cap-subject petitions, which numbered approximately 85,000 annually and would generate an estimated $8.8 billion in annual revenue
- The administration frames the charge as covering costs for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- A federal judge in Boston struck down a previous $100,000 fee in June 2025, ruling it constituted an unlawful tax bypassing Congressional authority
- Another federal judge in December 2025 upheld a similar measure, finding the president had "broad statutory authority" to address economic and national security concerns
- Exemptions apply for nonprofit research organizations, governmental research bodies, and institutions of higher education
Why It Matters
The proposal poses a direct challenge to technology and finance companies that depend on H-1B visas to recruit top graduates from U.S. universities, potentially reshaping how American firms compete for global talent. The outcome of this policy will likely determine whether American employers can still access international skilled workers or must fundamentally restructure their recruitment strategies .
The proposal poses a direct challenge to technology and finance companies that depend on H-1B visas to recruit top graduates from U.S. universities, potentially reshaping how American firms compete for global talent. The outcome of this policy will likely determine whether American employers can still access international skilled workers or must fundamentally restructure their recruitment strategies .