Trump To Impose $100,000 Fee For H-1B Visas Amid Immigration Crackdown

U.S. President Donald Trump plans to introduce a new $100,000 application fee for H-1B worker visas, according to a White House official, in an effort to reduce their use as part of his broader immigration crackdown.

Bloomberg News previously disclosed Trump's plan to sign the order concerning H-1B visa applications.

Washington:

U.S. President Donald Trump intends to implement a substantial $100,000 application fee for H-1B worker visas, according to a White House representative, aiming to curtail their utilization as part of his comprehensive immigration reform strategy.

The Republican president was anticipated to authorize a proclamation potentially as soon as Friday limiting entry under the H-1B visa program unless the application fee is remitted, the representative stated. Trump also intended to mandate modifications to the prevailing-wage thresholds for the H-1B program as a mechanism to restrict their usage.

The H-1B program has evolved into an essential resource for technology and staffing corporations that depend on international talent to fulfill various technical positions.

Amazon received approval for more than 10,000 H-1B visas in 2025, while Microsoft and Meta Platforms each secured over 5,000 H-1B visa approvals, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data.

Bloomberg News previously disclosed Trump's plan to sign the order concerning H-1B visa applications.

Shares of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp, an IT services enterprise that extensively employs H-1B visa holders, declined by over 5% on Friday.

Critics of the visa program, including numerous American technology professionals, contend that companies utilize H-1B visa workers to depress compensation rates and bypass Americans for positions they might otherwise qualify for.

India was the predominant recipient of H-1B visas last year, representing 71% of approved beneficiaries, while China ranked a distant second at 11.7%, according to governmental statistics.

The H-1B visa program is designated for individuals employed in specialty occupations, frequently within the technology sector. These can encompass software engineers, tech program managers, and other IT professionals. The H-1B visas are sanctioned for durations spanning three to six years.