What to know about Trump's new $100,000 H-1B visa fee

"The H-1B program dates back to 1990, when George HW Bush signed a new bill into law in an effort to encourage the immigration of highly skilled workers, including scientists, engineers and educators, to address labor shortages in specialized fields. This temporary visa category allows employers to petition for highly educated foreign professionals to work in specialty occupations that require at least a bachelor's degree or the equivalent."

"There are as many as 730,000 H-1B holders in the US, and an additional 550,000 dependents, including spouses and children, who together make up nearly 1.3 million residents, according to a January 2025 report from fwd.us, an immigration and criminal justice advocacy group. Previously, the cost for an H-1B ranged from about $1,700 to $4,500, depending on whether the visa was expedited. Each year, Congress caps H-1B visas at 85,000, awarded through a lottery system. To enter, companies pay a $215 registration fee, followed by the thousands of dollars more in application fees and legal costs if selected."

"The Trump administration increased the fee for skilled foreign workers applying for H-1B visas to $100,000, claiming the visas were being abused to undercut American wages and outsource IT jobs. The new fee went into effect on Sunday. The fees are intended to be paid by companies sponsoring the visas, rather than applicants themselves."

An annual $100,000 fee on employer-sponsored H-1B visa applications was announced and went into effect Sunday. The fee targets companies that sponsor highly skilled foreign workers in occupations such as IT, healthcare, and engineering. The H-1B program began in 1990 to address labor shortages and allows temporary employment for professionals with at least a bachelor's degree, typically for three years extendable to six. There are around 730,000 H-1B holders and 550,000 dependents, totaling nearly 1.3 million residents. Prior application costs ranged from about $1,700 to $4,500 plus registration and legal fees. The administration said the fee responds to alleged abuse and wage undercutting.

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