US H-1Bโข Visa Fees Surgeโข to $100,000โ for New Applicants
WASHINGTON – The US governmentโ has dramatically increased the cost of H-1B visas, a key pathway for skilled foreign workers, to $100,000โค for new applications, โขWhite House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced Friday.The โfee,โค previouslyโฃ around $1,500,โ applies to companies seeking to hire employeesโค from โabroad with specialized skills not readily available in the US.
The policy โshift comes after American companies cautioned employees working outside the US to return,โข fearing the increased costs.โฃ Leavitt clarified the $100,000 fee is aโ one-timeโฃ charge and does not โaffect existing H-1B visa holders โseeking extensions or those currently abroad on valid visas.
The H-1Bโ visa program, established in 1990, allocates โ85,000 visas annually through โฃa lottery system. Approximately 70% ofโค these visasโ are granted to Indian nationals, with around 11% going toโค Chinese citizens.Major tech companies, including โAmazon, Meta, and Microsoft, collectively employ roughlyโค 22,000 workers through the H-1Bโข program.
The Trump โadministration also unveiled a “Gold Card” offering permanent residency for a $1 million investment.
The move reflectsโค the administration’s stated goalโค of prioritizing American workers. Commerce Secretary Lutnick asserted the government wants companies to “train people, do that with Americans,” and stop “getting people hereโ who take our jobs.”