Article Summary

The Trump administration has enacted a new proclamation introducing a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications. USCIS and the White House clarified that this fee applies exclusively to new applicants, not to petitions submitted prior to September 21, nor to renewals or current visa holders. This policy is anticipated to disproportionately affect Indian nationals, who constitute the majority of H-1B visa recipients.

TNP AI: Key Insights

This substantial $100,000 fee creates an unprecedented financial barrier for new H-1B applicants, profoundly impacting individuals aspiring to work in the U.S. and businesses seeking to hire new foreign talent. For employers, especially tech startups, this dramatically escalates the cost of onboarding skilled international workers, potentially driving talent to other global markets.

This move represents a significant escalation of administrative restrictions on the H-1B program, far surpassing previous fee structures and standing in stark contrast to skilled worker visa costs in countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia. Such a drastic measure is likely to face swift legal challenges and could prompt companies to explore alternative visa options or even reconsider the U.S. as a primary destination for global talent.