Trump’s $100K H-1B Visa Fee: What Employers Must Know
The Trump administration’s controversial $100,000 H-1B visa application fee is officially in effect as of September 21, 2025. The rule represents one of the most dramatic cost increases in U.S. immigration history, raising the fee from under $1,000 to six figures.
The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire highly skilled foreign professionals in specialty occupations such as technology, engineering, and medicine. It has long been a critical channel for global talent to enter the U.S. workforce.
Key Details Employers Should Know
📅 Effective Date: September 21, 2025
💵 New Fee: $100,000 per new application (previously ~$780)
👔 Who Pays: Sponsoring employers, not the foreign worker
✅ Exemptions: Current H-1B holders and renewals remain unaffected
The White House clarified that the new cost applies only to new applicants. Despite this, confusion spread among foreign workers after President Trump suggested otherwise in public remarks.
How Employers Must Pay the $100K Fee
According to Fortune, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued specific instructions for payment. Employers must submit the fee via electronic wire transfer or certified check directly to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Payment must be made in full at the time of application, as installments or partial payments are not accepted.
This makes the fee a significant upfront cost for any company seeking to hire foreign talent through the H-1B program.
Why the Trump Administration Raised Employer Costs
Officials argue that the increase is designed to “protect American workers” by discouraging the overuse of the H-1B program and ensuring that only companies with significant resources sponsor foreign employees.
Critics, however, argue that the steep cost will:
Block startups and small businesses from hiring global talent.
Reduce access to skilled workers from India, China, and other major sources of H-1B applicants.
Encourage offshoring, as it may be more cost-effective to relocate jobs abroad.
Exacerbate healthcare shortages, as many H-1B doctors and specialists currently serve in rural and underserved areas.
FAQs: What Employers Are Asking
Who pays the new H-1B visa fee?
The employer sponsoring the worker must pay the $100,000 fee. Workers themselves cannot be charged or reimbursed for the cost.
Does the fee apply to current H-1B visa holders?
No. The White House confirmed the fee applies only to new applications filed on or after September 21, 2025. Renewals and current holders are exempt.
How much was the fee before?
Employers previously paid under $1,000 in filing costs. The new $100,000 fee is the largest increase in program history.
How do employers pay the $100K fee?
Employers must submit payment through DHS-approved methods, including wire transfer or a certified check made payable to USCIS. Full payment is required upfront.
Which industries will be hit hardest?
The tech industry and healthcare sector are expected to face the biggest challenges. Startups may struggle to pay the fee, while hospitals could see worsened staffing shortages.
Can this rule be challenged?
Yes. Universities, healthcare groups, and tech companies are already signaling potential legal challenges. Until then, the rule is in full effect.
Bottom Line for Employers
The Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee is now law, reshaping how U.S. companies hire global talent. While the administration claims it protects American jobs, critics warn that it risks driving innovation offshore, deepening healthcare gaps, and excluding smaller employers from the global hiring market.
For now, any employer seeking to hire a new foreign worker under the H-1B program must budget for the six-figure cost and follow DHS payment procedures.
