US Proposes $103,000 Fee for H-1B Visas

The Trump administration moved on Monday to impose a $103,265 fee on employers hiring foreign workers through the H-1B skilled visa programme.

The Department of Homeland Security introduced the proposed rule to recoup operating costs for agencies including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement following legal challenges to earlier fee measures.

Administration officials argue that the steep fee will incentivise companies to recruit qualified American workers rather than replacing them with foreign labour.

If implemented, the new requirement would stack on top of a separate $100,000 fee established by a 2025 presidential proclamation that currently faces federal court appeals.

US proposes $103,000 fee for H-1B visas (News Central TV) — The US proposes a $103,000 fee for H-1B visas. Credit: The Washington Post

Critics warn that the dramatic cost increase will severely restrict hiring in critical technical, medical, and engineering fields.

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Abisoye Adeyiga

Abisoye Adedoyin Adeyiga holds a PhD in Languages and Media Studies and a Master’s in Education (English Language). Trained in digital marketing and investigative journalism, she is passionate about new media’s transformative power. She enjoys reading, traveling, and meaningful conversations.