Trump’s $100K H-1B Visa fee sparks global backlash: Here’s who’s hit hardest
Tech leaders warn the massive fee hike could choke innovation and deter top global talent as experts question its legality.
The H-1B visa program is designed to bring skilled foreign workers to the United States but has been thrown into chaos by President Donald Trump’s decision to vastly increase application costs.
Trump signed a proclamation on Friday imposing an annual fee of $100,000 on applications starting Sept. 21. Immigration experts have questioned whether the Republican president has the legal authority to make such a sweeping change.
Current visa fees a fraction of the new cost
At present, applicants pay a small fee to enter a lottery for an H-1B visa. Those selected must then pay between $1,700 and $4,500 in additional fees, depending on their circumstances. The jump to a $100,000 annual charge represents an unprecedented increase.
Tech industry expected to be hit hardest
The U.S. tech sector is expected to feel the greatest impact, as it relies heavily on H-1B workers, many of whom come from India and China. Government data show that two-thirds of H-1B positions are computer-related.
Despite the potential fallout, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick insisted that major firms are backing the move, saying “all of the big companies are on board,” even though the industry contributed millions to Trump’s presidential campaign.
Big tech’s heavy reliance on H-1B workers
In the first six months of 2025, Amazon received more than 10,000 H-1B approvals, while Microsoft and Meta secured roughly 5,000 each. The new fee could force companies to rethink hiring strategies and limit their ability to bring in specialized talent.
Of course, the news has not gone down well in countries whose citizens frequently rely on the H-1B visa, with backlash in India especially sharp.
Supporters and critics split on impact
The administration argues the huge fee hike will create more opportunities for Americans. “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,” Lutnick told businesses.
Critics counter that the program already helps fill crucial workforce gaps and that higher costs will discourage innovation. Elon Musk, who once held an H-1B visa, supports the program as vital to U.S. competitiveness.
Fears of lost innovation
Deedy Das, partner at venture capital firm Menlo Ventures, warned the fee could disrupt the tech industry. “It creates disincentive to attract the world’s smartest talent to the U.S. If the U.S. ceases to attract the best talent, it drastically reduces its ability to innovate and grow the economy. It makes U.S. global competitiveness a lot worse,” Das said.
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