Trump management Announces $10,000 H-1B Visa Fee, Sparking Economic Concerns
WASHINGTON D.C. - The Trump administration announced a ample increase to the H-1B visa fee on Sunday, raising it to $10,000 from its current level, a move economists warn could stifle U.S. economic growth and disproportionately impact major tech companies. The new fee, intended to fund American worker training programs, is projected to generate billions in revenue but has ignited controversy over its potential consequences for innovation and global talent acquisition.
The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialized fields. Currently, the program offers 65,000 visas annually, wiht an additional 20,000 reserved for those holding advanced degrees. The increase comes amid heightened scrutiny of the program and a broader push to prioritize American workers, but critics argue the fee hike will ultimately harm U.S. competitiveness.
India has historically been the largest beneficiary of H-1B visas, accounting for 71% of approvals last year. the Indian government swiftly responded to the new fee, warning of “humanitarian consequences” and “disruption caused for families.” commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated,”They are also a little afraid of our talent. We have no objection to that.”
the immediate financial impact was felt on Monday, with shares of Indian tech giants Infosys and Tata Consulting services falling approximately 3% following the announcement. Both companies heavily rely on the H-1B program to deploy skilled workers to clients in the United States.
In the first half of 2025, Amazon secured over 10,000 H-1B visa approvals, while Microsoft and Meta Platforms each received more than 5,000. Economists are now analyzing the potential long-term effects of the increased costs on these companies and the broader U.S. tech sector.
