Article Summary

A new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, introduced by the Trump administration, is causing major US employers to limit or pause sponsorship for foreign workers. This fee specifically targets new overseas applicants without valid US immigration status, while current H-1B holders and those changing status remain exempt. Companies like Nvidia plan to absorb costs, but others such as Walmart and Cognizant are adjusting hiring strategies due to the policy's cost-prohibitive nature.

TNP AI: Key Insights

This unprecedented $100,000 H-1B fee represents a significant departure from historical H-1B cost structures, which typically involved smaller, statutory fees for fraud prevention and training. It creates a substantial financial barrier for employers, particularly smaller and midsize firms, looking to hire skilled professionals directly from overseas, thereby shifting recruitment focus and potentially stifling innovation.

For skilled professionals abroad, this policy significantly limits their direct pathway to U.S. employment via H-1B sponsorship, compelling them to consider other international opportunities or explore alternative U.S. visa categories if eligible. Employers may increasingly prioritize candidates already in the U.S. on statuses like F-1 OPT or consider expanding their talent search in countries like Canada or the UK, which often have more streamlined and cost-effective skilled worker visa programs.