President Donald Trump is preparing to sign a proclamation that would require a $100,000 application fee for H-1B visas, in what experts are calling one of the most dramatic changes to the skilled worker program in decades, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The proclamation, expected Friday, also directs the Department of Labor (DOL) to raise prevailing wage levels, a move intended to ensure H-1B workers are not hired at below-market rates compared to U.S.-born workers. Together, these measures represent a sweeping overhaul of a visa program long relied upon by U.S. employers to fill high-skilled roles in technology, engineering, and healthcare.
What’s Changing
- New $100,000 Fee: Employers must pay this fee for each H-1B petition. It’s not yet clear if this will replace or be added to existing fees, which already include $215 for the H-1B lottery registration and $780 for the petition filing, along with other charges.
- Higher Wage Standards: The DOL will revise wage rules to raise required salaries for H-1B workers, further increasing costs for employers.
- Program Integrity: The changes are aimed at cracking down on companies — particularly staffing and outsourcing firms — that file multiple applications to flood the lottery system.
The Big Picture
The Trump administration argues the overhaul will protect U.S. workers, strengthen wage standards, and close loopholes in the H-1B process. However, the policy has sparked concern among business groups, tech leaders, and immigration advocates, who warn that such a steep fee could effectively turn the H-1B into a “luxury work permit” accessible only to the wealthiest corporations and workers. This would sideline startups and smaller businesses, push skilled talent to other countries, and weaken the United States’ standing as a global innovation leader.
“The U.S. has built its leadership in technology and innovation by making itself the destination of choice for the world’s top talent,” said Xiao Wang, founder and CEO of Boundless. “Policies like this, alongside growing scrutiny of student visa applications, make it harder for bright, ambitious people to come here and put the United States’ standing as a global leader in innovation at risk.”
What This Means for Employers and HR Professionals
The impact on U.S. companies will be immediate and significant:
- Cost Increases: A company sponsoring 10 H-1B workers annually could face $1 million in additional expenses under the new fee structure.
- Budget and Compliance Shifts: HR teams will need to revise immigration budgets, adjust compensation packages to meet higher wage standards, and prepare for increased scrutiny in filings.
- Labor Gaps and Reduced Diversity: International talent may simply look elsewhere for employment, creating labor shortages and reducing diversity in the U.S. workforce. This would particularly hurt science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) sectors, which rely on diverse skill sets and international collaboration.
- Innovation Slowdown: Industries that rely on international talent, particularly tech, may experience slower growth, as domestic workers alone are unlikely to fill the gaps in the workforce.
- Workforce Strategy Changes: Businesses unable to absorb the costs or fill labor gaps with domestic workers may turn to automation, offshoring, or even investments in domestic upskilling programs.
What This Means for Immigrants and Workers
For international professionals, especially in STEM fields, the new $100,000 fee could make the H-1B visa inaccessible. Early-career workers, recent graduates, and those from industries with lower salaries may see U.S. work opportunities vanish, as employers may reserve H-1Bs for only the most critical or senior roles. In addition, students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) hoping to transition to H-1B status could face a much more selective job market as employers rethink sponsorship.
For current H-1B holders, the proclamation does not immediately affect existing visas, but future extensions, transfers, or renewals could be subject to the new rules.
New Policies Require New Approaches
While the Trump Administration’s policy change is poised to upend the H-1B visa pathway for employees and businesses alike, there are alternatives. A small but growing number of companies are starting to look at other pathways for hiring foreign national talent, including extraordinary ability visas like O-1 and EB-1A. While these pathways require greater upfront investment in developing a strong petition, they bypass the H-1B lottery and create a straight path to legal permanent residency.
“The interest from individuals looking to forge their own career paths in the U.S. has driven a surge in EB-1A petitions over the past year,” said Wang. “More recently, we’ve been hearing from a growing number of HR and business leaders that they are actively exploring alternatives to the H-1B visa for their top talent. While the new proclamation, should it stand up to legal challenges, is a blow to H-1B, this is a wakeup call to employers of foreign national talent that it’s time to rethink their global mobility programs.”
Looking Ahead
The new policy is likely to be challenged in court, as new visa fees can typically only be introduced either through legislation passed by Congress or through a formal rulemaking process that requires months of public notice and comment. However, if enacted, the $100,000 H-1B fee would mark one of the most consequential shifts in U.S. employment immigration policy in years, creating barriers for skilled immigrants, reshaping how companies hire global talent, and potentially impacting America’s economic competitiveness.
If you’re a U.S. employer or international worker who anticipates being affected by the new proposal, look out for additional policy updates and speak to an immigration attorney to understand your options.
Boundless will continue tracking this development and provide updates as more details emerge.