The Trump administration proposed a new regulation on Monday that would charge employers a fee of $103,265 [1] for each new H-1B visa.
This proposal represents a significant shift in the cost of hiring highly skilled foreign workers. By increasing the financial burden on companies, the administration seeks to incentivize the employment of U.S. citizens over foreign nationals.
The Department of Homeland Security released the proposed rule on August 24, 2026 [4]. While some reports describe the cost as more than $100,000 [2], specific filings indicate the exact amount is $103,265 [1]. The administration said the fee is intended to recover the costs of the immigration system and encourage companies to pay American workers higher wages.
This move follows a presidential proclamation issued in September 2026 [5]. The administration aims to prioritize the domestic workforce by making the H-1B program more expensive for corporations, a strategy designed to reduce reliance on foreign labor for specialized roles.
There is some disagreement regarding the structure of the charges. Some reports suggest this is a single $103,265 fee for all H-1B petitions [3], while other accounts suggest the six-figure fee may be separate from other contested charges.
The government has opened a public comment period for the proposal [3]. Stakeholders and the public have 30 days [3] to submit feedback before the rule is finalized.
If implemented, the fee would apply to new H-1B visa holders entering the U.S. immigration system. The administration said these costs are necessary to ensure the system is sustainable and that U.S. workers remain the first choice for employers.
“The Trump administration proposed a new regulation on Monday that would charge employers a fee of $103,265 for each new H-1B visa.”
This proposal targets the primary mechanism used by tech companies and medical institutions to recruit global talent. By raising the entry cost to over $100,000 per worker, the administration is effectively creating a financial barrier that may price out smaller firms and startups from using the H-1B program, potentially shifting the talent landscape toward larger corporations that can absorb the cost or forcing a pivot toward domestic hiring.
