Trump plans to revamp the H-1B visa program, imposing a $100,000 fee on application submissions
The H-1B visa program, which allows for the employment of foreign workers in specialty occupations, primarily in the technology field, has been a subject of debate for years. The program is crucial for technology and staffing companies to fill various technical roles, but critics argue that it suppresses wages and passes over American workers for jobs.
In a recent development, President Donald Trump announced plans to introduce a new registration fee of $100,000 for H-1B work visas. According to reports, this announcement was made at the White House, involving US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. If implemented, this fee would significantly impact companies that rely heavily on H-1B visa workers, such as Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Amazon, and Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.
In 2025, Microsoft and Meta Platforms had over 5,000 H-1B visa approvals each, while Amazon had over 10,000. Shares of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp, a company that extensively uses H-1B visa holders, fell over 5% on Friday in response to the news.
The H-1B visas are approved for a period of three to six years. Under the current system, India is the largest beneficiary of H-1B visas, accounting for 71% of approved beneficiaries in 2021. China was the second-largest beneficiary, accounting for 11.7% of approved beneficiaries in the same year.
In an effort to limit the use of H-1B visas, the program is expected to have changes to the prevailing-wage levels. This could potentially make it more expensive for companies to hire foreign workers, potentially encouraging them to hire more American workers instead.
However, the Trump administration's immigration policies have been controversial. In 2020, the State Department revoked more than 6,000 student visas, according to the department. Under a new pilot program, the US could require up to $15,000 bonds for some tourist visas.
These changes to the H-1B visa program are still in the proposal stage and may face opposition in Congress. It remains to be seen how these changes will impact the tech industry and foreign workers in the long run.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
