Trump Imposes $100,000 H-1B Fee: Is the US Job Dream Still Achievable?

The US government has announced a new policy that will raise the H-1B visa sponsorship fee to $100,000 per year. The proclamation, signed by President Donald Trump on September 19, 2025, aims to reform the H-1B program, which allows highly skilled foreign professionals to work in the United States. The new fee will take effect on September 21, 2025.

Why the H-1B Fee Increase Matters

Will Scharf, White House Staff Secretary, said, “One of the most abused visa systems in our current immigration system has been the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program.” He explained that the program is designed to bring in highly skilled professionals to work in fields that Americans typically do not.

Scharf added that the new $100,000 sponsorship fee will ensure that the workers being brought in are truly highly skilled and not replaceable by American workers, while still allowing companies to hire exceptional talent.

President Donald Trump emphasised that the new policy is aimed at ensuring the United States attracts the highly skilled workers it needs. He stated that “We need workers. We need great workers, and this pretty much ensures that that’s what’s going to happen.”

Howard Lutnik, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, explained that the new $100,000 H-1B fee would make it economically challenging for companies, especially big tech, to sponsor foreign workers. Firms would need to pay the government this high fee on top of salaries, making it less feasible to hire and train overseas talent.

As Lutnik put it, “If you’re going to train somebody, you’re going to train one of the recent graduates from one of the great universities across our land, train Americans, stop bringing in people to take our jobs.”

What is H-1B

The H-1B visa lets US companies hire skilled foreign professionals for jobs that require specialised knowledge, like in IT, engineering, finance, and similar fields. It also covers certain other roles, such as fashion models or workers on Department of Defence projects, if they meet specific requirements. The program is run by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Can Indians Still Achieve Their US Job Dream

The announcement of the $100,000 H-1B visa fee has prompted questions about the future of opportunities for skilled foreign professionals in the United States. The H-1B visa remains a primary route for workers in fields such as information technology, engineering, and finance, and Indian professionals form a significant portion of visa holders.

According to Reuters, Sophie Alcorn, a Silicon Valley immigration lawyer, said that while the proposed $100,000 H-1B fee may not force immediate departures, it could limit job mobility and make visa renewals more costly.

Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog, tweeted on his X (formerly Twitter) that the proposed $100,000 H-1B fee could limit opportunities in the US for Indian professionals while creating increased opportunities within India. He noted that America’s stricter policies might redirect innovation and skilled talent to Indian cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Gurgaon, giving Indian doctors, engineers, scientists, and innovators a chance to contribute to domestic growth.

Hemant Mohapatra, startup investor and former H-1B visa holder, highlighted the challenges posed by the proposed $100,000 H-1B fee. He stated that throughout his 15 years in the United States, this would have amounted to $1.5 million in fees, and that even highly specialised tasks, such as his work in semiconductors, could not have been available under such a cost structure.

As he observed, “this policy could advantage big tech and concentrate talent, while also pushing many highly skilled professionals, including PhDs, to return home in the short term.” This could limit opportunities for Indian professionals in the US, particularly for early-career and highly specialised positions.

Experts note that the proposed $100,000 H-1B fee could make US opportunities more selective and challenging. Early-career and specialised workers may face higher prices and less mobility, while some talent may pursue opportunities in other nations or India.