Trump formally implements a regulation demanding an annual fee of $100,000 for H-1B visa petitions
The H-1B visa program, created in 1990 to address job shortages in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and math, has been the subject of recent changes.
President Trump signed a proclamation in 2020 that introduced a new annual $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications. This fee is aimed at generating revenue for a new fund that will support workforce development and education in the United States.
One of the significant changes to the H-1B visa lottery system is the limitation on the number of attempts each employee can make. USCIS now allows only one shot at the H1-B visa lottery, whether an individual has one job offer or multiple. This change was implemented to reduce the number of applications and increase the chances for those who are truly in need of the visa.
Critics of the H-1B visa system argue that spots often go to entry-level jobs rather than senior positions with unique skill requirements. They claim that the system allows companies to pay less by classifying jobs at the lowest skill levels, even if the specific workers hired have more experience.
In an effort to address these concerns, the AFL-CIO has called for visas to be awarded to companies that pay the highest wages instead of by random lottery. They believe this would encourage companies to offer more competitive salaries to attract and retain skilled workers.
Historically, the 85,000 H-1B visas available each year have been doled out through a lottery system. However, this year, Amazon emerged as the top recipient of H-1B visas with more than 10,000 awarded. Major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Apple followed closely behind. Amazon leads by a large margin in numbers, reflecting the high demand for tech talent and the challenges faced by these companies in filling these roles with qualified U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
The State Department may also require visa applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 to enter the U.S. This is a measure intended to ensure that visa holders comply with the terms of their visas and do not overstay their welcome.
In other news, the U.S. revoked visas of Palestinian officials ahead of the U.N. General Assembly, and it was reported that First Lady Melania Trump was granted an H1-B work visa in October 1996 to work as a model.
The markets recoiled on Trump's latest tariff moves in Asia, but the impact of these changes on the H-1B visa system remains to be seen. As the situation continues to evolve, it is clear that the H-1B visa lottery system is undergoing significant changes, with the aim of making it more competitive and beneficial for both companies and workers.
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