Doctors To Be Exempted From $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee? What Team Trump Said

The White House has signaled that the Trump administration might exempt physicians from the new $100,000 fee imposed on H-1B visa applications for skilled workers. According to White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers' statement to Bloomberg News, President Donald Trump's proclamation "allows for potential exemptions, which can include physicians and medical residents."

Experts have raised concerns about the risk of a doctor shortage in rural America. (Representative Image)

The executive order signed last week provides that the substantial application fees may be waived if the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that hiring specific workers individually, or for particular companies or industries, serves "the national interest."

"Ultimately, the Trump Administration defers to the language in the proclamation," Rogers emphasized.

This clarification addresses concerns raised by major medical organizations about potential doctor shortages in rural America, where healthcare providers are already scarce. Medical professionals have warned that the substantial visa fee could significantly restrict international medical graduates from entering the United States.

The White House recently announced the $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, a dramatic increase from the current $215 plus other nominal processing charges.

Since Friday's announcement, the White House has attempted to reassure concerned companies that existing visa holders are exempt from the fee, and that their H-1B employees traveling abroad will not be prevented from re-entering the United States without paying $100,000. The new policy became effective at 12:01 a.m. Eastern on Sunday.

The H-1B visa program permits employers to hire foreign workers with specialized skills and at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualifications. These visas are valid for three years and can be extended for another three years. Economist Stephen Brown of Capital Economics estimates there are "around 700,000 H-1B visa holders in the country and another half a million or so dependents."

According to the Pew Research Centre, over 60 percent of H-1B visas approved since 2012 have been for computer-related positions. However, hospitals, banks, universities, and various other employers also apply for these visas.

Annual new visa issuance is limited to 65,000, plus an additional 20,000 for individuals with advanced degrees. These visas are distributed through a lottery system, though certain employers like universities and nonprofits are exempt from these limitations.

Pew data shows that nearly three-quarters of successful applicants in 2023 were from India.