WASHINGTON: In a development that could reshape the landscape for foreign workers and multinational companies, U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing a dramatic surge in fees for the H-1B work visa, one of the most widely used permits for skilled professionals entering the United States.
According to reports from international media, the annual fee for an H-1B visa has now been fixed at $100,000, representing an unprecedented leap from the earlier charges, which began at $215 and could, under specific circumstances, extend to several thousand dollars. The new regulation marks one of the steepest hikes ever introduced in the U.S. immigration system.
President Trump, while defending the move, emphasized that in many cases companies would be required to pay “a very large amount” to secure visas for foreign employees.
He framed the decision as part of his administration’s broader push to curb immigration and safeguard employment opportunities for American citizens.
Industry analysts warn that the impact will be particularly severe for technology firms, many of which rely on highly skilled workers from countries such as India and China.
These companies routinely depend on H-1B visas to fill crucial roles in fields like software development, data science, and artificial intelligence. Experts caution that the steep costs could discourage recruitment, disrupt hiring strategies, and weaken the United States’ competitive edge in global innovation.
Critics argue that the fee increase will create significant barriers for both businesses and talented workers, potentially slowing the pace of growth in key industries. They note that while previous fee structures already posed challenges, the leap to $100,000 will force companies and applicants alike into an extremely difficult position.
