The H-1B programme allows US companies to employ skilled foreign workers in fields including technology. The Trump administration has argued that parts of the programme have been misused and that lower-paid foreign workers can negatively affect American employees.
Under the extended policy, certain H-1B applicants who are outside the United States will be required to pay the $100,000 fee with their visa applications. Exceptions may be granted in specific cases on national-interest grounds.
The policy was first introduced in September 2025 and has faced legal challenges. An appeal against a federal court ruling in Boston is currently under consideration.
According to the White House, certain exemptions will continue to apply to existing H-1B visa holders and foreign graduates already in the United States. The administration has also ordered stricter scrutiny of H-1B applications, particularly those involving companies that have recently carried out, or are expected to carry out, layoffs of US workers.
The H-1B programme plays a significant role in the US technology sector and has been widely used by companies to recruit skilled workers from countries including India and China.