The Trump administration proposed a regulation on Monday that would impose a fee of more than $100,000 on new H-1B worker visas [1, 2].
This move targets the primary pathway for high-skill foreign professionals to work in the U.S. By increasing the cost of sponsorship, the administration seeks to deter legal migration and reduce the number of foreign workers entering the domestic labor market [1, 5].
According to a report from Newsweek, the specific proposed fee amount is $103,265 [3]. While some reports suggest the fee targets both H-1B and F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs [4], other reports indicate the fee applies specifically to new H-1B worker visas [1].
The policy is expected to have a significant impact on Indian nationals, who account for more than 70% of H-1B beneficiaries [4]. The high cost could make it prohibitively expensive for many U.S. companies to hire specialized talent from abroad, particularly in the technology sector.
Beyond the H-1B fee, other measures to tighten visa controls are being discussed. Reports indicate the potential revocation of up to 200,000 B1/B2 visas if those holders later apply for asylum [6].
The administration said the goal is to prioritize domestic hiring and curb the flow of legal migration [1, 5]. The proposed regulation represents a shift toward using financial barriers to manage the legal immigration system.
“The Trump administration proposed a regulation on Monday that would impose a fee of more than $100,000 on new H-1B worker visas.”
This proposal signals a transition from quota-based restrictions to price-based deterrence in U.S. immigration policy. By shifting the financial burden to employers, the administration is creating a systemic barrier that likely favors only the largest corporations capable of absorbing such costs, potentially stifling small-business innovation and disrupting the talent pipeline for Silicon Valley.
