Article Summary

US Vice President JD Vance has defended proposed changes to the H-1B visa program, asserting it is misused to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. He stated that reforms, including a significantly higher fee of US $100,000 for new H-1B applications for the 2026 lottery, aim to ensure fairness for domestic workers. Vance also articulated the administration's broader goal of reducing overall immigration levels.

TNP AI: Key Insights

This news matters significantly to prospective H-1B visa applicants and employers, as a US $100,000 fee would dramatically alter the cost and feasibility of sponsoring foreign talent. For current H-1B holders, it signals a potential shift in policy direction that could affect future renewals or green card pathways.

The proposed US $100,000 fee represents a substantial increase from previous general filing fees, which typically range from $1,500-$4,000 depending on employer size and additional levies. This change would fundamentally alter the financial landscape of H-1B sponsorship. For tech startups and smaller businesses, such a prohibitive fee could make sponsoring H-1B workers economically unviable, potentially limiting their access to skilled international talent. The article indicates this higher fee would apply to new petitions and entries in the 2026 H-1B lottery.