President Trump approves an executive order imposing a $100,000 yearly fee for each H-1B visa application.
Critics warn the drastic increase could hurt U.S. competitiveness and block smaller firms from hiring talent.
United States President Donald Trump has approved a sweeping executive order that will require companies to pay a $100,000 yearly fee for each H-1B visa application filed for skilled foreign workers. According to reports on Saturday, the policy will begin on September 21, 2025, and represents one of the most significant changes to the visa program in years.
The H-1B program, capped at 85,000 visas annually, has long been a main pathway for U.S. technology firms and other employers seeking highly trained workers from abroad. Up to now, fees for filing an application were around $1,500, but the new order raises that amount dramatically. Companies will have to pay the $100,000 fee every year for up to six years for each employee under the visa.
Defending the policy, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said companies should carefully consider the value of hiring overseas talent. “Is the person valuable enough to have a $100,000-a-year payment to the government, or should they hire an American?” he asked. He also claimed that major firms support the change.
Critics warn that the new fee could harm U.S. competitiveness, especially in technology and innovation. Immigration lawyer Tahmina Watson said the policy will put skilled visas out of reach for smaller companies and startups. “Many small or medium-sized companies simply can’t find qualified Americans to do the job,” she explained.
In addition, the executive order launches a “gold card” program to fast-track immigration for wealthy individuals who pay at least £1 million in fees. It follows earlier measures such as a pilot bond scheme for some visas and new travel restrictions announced in recent months.
