President Donald Trump is set to implement a substantial $100,000 application fee for H-1B visas, targeting highly skilled foreign workers in what represents a significant escalation of his administration’s immigration policies.
New Policy Details
A White House official confirmed that Trump will sign a proclamation today establishing the six-figure fee for H-1B visa applications. This dramatic increase is part of a comprehensive immigration crackdown that could fundamentally reshape how American companies hire international talent.
The H-1B program currently allows 85,000 foreign workers annually to enter the United States for specialized positions that companies claim are difficult to fill with qualified American workers. The visas are distributed through a lottery system and have become essential for technology firms and staffing companies seeking skilled international employees.
Impact on Global Workforce
The policy change will particularly affect workers from India, which dominated H-1B approvals last year with 71% of all successful applications. China ranked second with 11.7% of approvals, according to government data.
The announcement has already sent shockwaves through the technology sector, with shares of IT services company Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp dropping more than 5% on Friday following news of the impending changes.
Ongoing Controversy
The H-1B program has long been a source of debate in American immigration policy. While designed to attract “the best and brightest” foreign professionals for high-skilled positions, critics argue the system has become a mechanism for companies to hire overseas workers at below-market wages.
Opponents contend that firms use H-1B visas to bypass qualified American candidates, undermining domestic workers in the technology sector. Supporters maintain the program fills critical skills gaps that cannot be met by the existing American workforce.
Historical Context
Interestingly, former First Lady Melania Trump herself benefited from the H-1B program, receiving a work visa in October 1996 to pursue modeling work in the United States. Born in Slovenia, she represents one of the program’s earlier success stories before immigrating permanently to America.
The new fee structure represents one of the most aggressive moves yet by the Trump administration to restrict legal immigration pathways, potentially making it prohibitively expensive for many companies to sponsor foreign workers.
