Trump Imposes $100,000 Annual Fees on H-1B Visas

President Donald Trump has issued a proclamation adding a $100,000 annual fee to each H-1B visa petition. The fee is on top of the existing fee for H-1B visa applications and is framed as a crackdown on alleged abuse of the H-1B Visa Program, particularly in information technology.

Effective Dates and Payment Rules

The new charge applies immediately for new filings and from 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 21, 2025 for renewals. Employers must submit proof of the H-1B Visa fee payment with every new or renewal petition; filings without proof will be rejected. Because the fee is annual, keeping a worker for the full six-year H-1B limit could cost an employer $600,000 in additional fees.

Government’s Stated Rationale

The proclamation argues that some firms manipulate the H-1B system to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign labour. It singles out parts of the IT sector as frequent abusers and frames the move as protecting domestic jobs and wages. This measure now sits among the most consequential H-1 B new rules 2025 and dominates current H-1B visa news.

Travel and Status Implications

From September 21, 2025, H-1B workers outside the United States may be refused entry unless their petitions reflect the new $100,000 payment. In response, many companies have urged H-1B employees abroad to return before the deadline and advised both H-1B and H-4 holders to avoid non-essential international travel. While H-1B workers already inside the U.S. are not charged directly, re-entry after travel could be denied without a petition that includes the payment.

Impact on Indian Professionals and Firms

H-1B visas for Indians account for roughly 70% of holders, so Indians H-1B visa workers are likely to be the most affected. Indian IT firms like TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL face potentially billions in added costs and may cut on-site assignments, delay renewals, or shift work offshore. If renewals drop, remittances to India could fall sharply. This development is central to searches on “Trump new visa for Indians” and H-1B visa news.

Impact on U.S. Tech and Other Employers

Global tech companies like Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, IBM and large financial and healthcare organizations may continue sponsoring a smaller number of critical, high-value roles despite the H-1 B visa fee increase. Mid-sized firms and startups are more likely to pause or stop H-1B hiring due to cost. Employers may respond by hiring more locally, automating, or moving certain operations overseas.

What This Means for Individuals?

Prospective and current H-1B workers should confirm their employer’s willingness to pay the fee for H-1B visa applications each year, understand travel limitations, and monitor guidance on exemptions. With green card pathways reportedly tightening, long-term planning may involve reassessing timelines, roles, and alternative immigration options.

This policy significantly raises the cost and complexity of using the H-1B Visa Program. New demand may decline, and existing numbers may fall gradually as visas expire without renewal. The labor market impact will depend on how widely exemptions are granted and how aggressively employers shift to local hiring, automation, or offshore strategies.