President Trump plans to add a $100,000 fee to H-1B visa applications as soon as Friday, a person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. The visa allows U.S. companies to hire skilled foreign workers in technical fields, such as technology and engineering.
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On average, the total cost of an H-1B for employers currently ranges from $4,535 to $17,885 for an initial petition, according to Forbes, which includes application, attorney, training, and other costs.
H-1B Fee Increase Proposal Targets Tech Sector, Addresses Security Concerns
Based on a fact sheet reviewed by Bloomberg, the White House believes that replacing American workers with lower-paid foreign workers poses a threat to national security. These foreign workers also lower the average salary and discourage Americans from pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) roles.
If enacted, the fee increase would deal a blow to the tech industry given its reliance on H-1B visas. The proposed change is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to tighten immigration policy heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
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