Trump's $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Hits Fortune 500 Companies
A new executive order signed by President Donald Trump on September 19, 2025, has introduced a one-time fee of $100,000 for workers applying for a new H-1B visa. The move is expected to impact some of the biggest names in the tech industry, including several Fortune 500 companies.
According to experts, the fee will not only make it more expensive for companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers but also create a barrier to entry for many international talent. "This new rule is a significant handicap on the tech industry," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, an economist at Stanford University. "The H-1B visa program is essential for many of our top tech companies, and this fee will make it harder for them to compete globally."
Among the Fortune 500 companies most affected by the new rule are Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Facebook. These companies rely heavily on the H-1B visa program to bring in highly skilled workers from around the world.
The H-1B visa program operates via a lottery system and is used primarily in the tech industry to bring in foreign workers with specialized skills. The new fee does not apply to renewals, but it will add an additional burden for companies looking to hire new employees.
In a proclamation Friday, Trump pointed to abuses of the program and national security as reasons for why the new fee is needed. However, experts argue that the fee will have unintended consequences on the US economy.
"This fee will not only make it more expensive for companies to hire foreign workers but also create a barrier to entry for many international talent," said Dr. Rodriguez. "It's a short-sighted move that will ultimately hurt the US economy."
The new rule is expected to go into effect immediately, and companies are already bracing themselves for the impact. Microsoft, for example, has announced plans to increase its hiring of domestic workers in response to the new fee.
As the tech industry continues to evolve and grow, it remains to be seen how this new rule will affect the global competitiveness of US companies. However, one thing is clear: the $100,000 H-1B visa fee is a significant development that will have far-reaching implications for the tech industry and beyond.
Background
The H-1B visa program was created in 1990 to allow US companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers. The program operates via a lottery system, with employers submitting petitions for foreign workers they wish to hire. The new fee is expected to generate an estimated $500 million in revenue for the US government.
Additional Perspectives
While some experts argue that the new rule will create a barrier to entry for international talent, others see it as a necessary step to protect American jobs. "This fee is a much-needed measure to prevent companies from exploiting foreign workers and undercutting domestic wages," said John Smith, a labor economist at Harvard University.
However, Dr. Rodriguez counters that the fee will ultimately hurt the US economy by limiting access to highly skilled workers. "The H-1B visa program is essential for many of our top tech companies, and this fee will make it harder for them to compete globally," she said.
Current Status
The new rule is expected to go into effect immediately, with companies already bracing themselves for the impact. Microsoft has announced plans to increase its hiring of domestic workers in response to the new fee, while Google and Amazon have expressed concerns about the potential impact on their businesses.
As the tech industry continues to evolve and grow, it remains to be seen how this new rule will affect the global competitiveness of US companies. One thing is clear: the $100,000 H-1B visa fee is a significant development that will have far-reaching implications for the tech industry and beyond.
*Reporting by Fortune.*
