The Trump Administration has introduced a major shift in the H-1B visa program by implementing a $100,000 fee for new applicants, a move that took effect at midnight on Sunday, September 21, 2025. This fee applies only to new H-1B visa petitions submitted after the cutoff time and does not impact existing holders or those who submitted petitions before the policy went live. The White House clarified on September 20 that this $100,000 charge is a one-time payment attached to each new application, not an annual fee, easing some concerns over the financial burden on companies and applicants alike.
This policy change sparked immediate reactions across the tech industry, where the H-1B visa program plays a critical role. The fee hike is a sharp jump from the previous range of $2,000 to $5,000 per application, representing a steep cost increase that could significantly affect hiring strategies, particularly at startups and smaller companies that rely on skilled foreign workers. Larger technology companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Apple, and Google, which together employ tens of thousands through this visa, were among the most vocal industries affected. Some employers rapidly advised their visa-holding employees who were abroad to return to the United States before the new rules took effect to avoid being subject to the new fee requirement.
The rationale behind the fee aims to discourage firms from over-relying on the H-1B program to fill positions that could otherwise be occupied by American workers. The U.S. Department of Commerce and White House officials framed the initiative as a way to prioritize American jobs by adding a significant financial consideration for companies seeking to hire from abroad. The one-time payment policy makes it clear that current holders of H-1B visas retain the ability to travel and work without facing the new fee, preserving the status of thousands already in the system.
However, the policy change has raised concern among immigration specialists and tech executives who warn that such a high fee could put additional pressure on the innovation economy. Smaller firms or startups that lack deep financial reserves may find it challenging to absorb these costs. Moreover, many highly skilled foreign professionals from countries like India and China, who make up a large share of H-1B visa holders, face uncertainty regarding both career prospects and their families’ futures in the United States. Advocacy groups argue the fee risks slowing the influx of global talent that many U.S. companies depend on to stay competitive internationally.
The introduction of the $100,000 fee is also the most direct and aggressive immigration-related policy move by President Trump since his return to office earlier in 2025. Previous initiatives focused on both illegal immigration and broader visa restrictions, but this one sharply targets a specific visa category crucial to the U.S. workforce in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. The administration’s message to companies is clear: prioritize hiring Americans, and if foreign skilled labor is necessary, expect to pay a premium. Whether this financial deterrent will significantly reduce H-1B visa applications or prompt adjustments in corporate hiring models remains to be seen.
Nonetheless, the White House has signaled that this fee will be in place for one year initially and may be reassessed depending on its impact. For now, the tech sector faces a new financial hurdle in accessing the global talent pool it has long relied on, which could impact development timelines, product launches, and operational expenses. This development also emphasizes the ongoing debate in Washington about the balance between protecting domestic workers and maintaining America’s competitive edge in innovation.
The large one-time fee strictly applies to new applicants outside the United States, so those currently holding valid H-1B visas will continue as before without additional charges. This has provided some cushion for firms managing existing employees, but new hires and companies planning future recruitment cycles must now factor in a significant new cost.Â
