President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that will increase the H-1B visa application fee dramatically—from $1,500 up to $100,000 annually—for skilled foreign workers seeking to enter the US. The policy, set to take effect from September 21, 2025, only applies to new applicants and is motivated by a stated desire to curb “abuse” of the visa program.
The H-1B visa, which allows skilled workers to fill positions in various industries including tech, will now require employers to decide if the value of an employee justifies the costly yearly fee or instead hire American workers. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated, “The company needs to decide if the person is valuable enough to have a $100,000-a-year payment to the government or they should head home.”
Tech giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Apple have historically been large users of the H-1B visa program. The fee hike has caused alarm among businesses and immigration lawyers worried about the impact on the industry’s talent pipeline.
Elon Musk, a longtime H-1B supporter, has voiced concerns about the fee hike, emphasizing the program’s importance in attracting global top talent. Critics argue the move undermines America’s competitiveness and harms families reliant on these visas.
In response to criticism, the order also introduces a “gold card” visa, which fast-tracks applications from wealthy individuals who can pay a starting fee of $1 million, indicating a shift favoring wealth-based immigration.
The executive order follows prior efforts early in Trump’s first term to increase H-1B application scrutiny, which had already driven rejection rates upwards. Immigration experts warn the $100,000 price may be a “nail in the coffin” for many potential immigrants.
The policy’s rollout has complicated visa logistics, with some legal advises cautioning current visa holders against international travel while waiting for government guidance.
In summary, Trump’s sweeping visa fee increase marks the most significant shakeup of the H-1B program in decades, sparking fears of long-term disruption to the U.S. labor market.
