Trump gov't proposes more than US$103,000 fee on H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (Yonhap) -- The United States government has proposed an unprecedented fee of over US$103,000 for new H-1B visas granted to highly skilled foreign workers in science, technology, engineering, and math fields, according to a government notice published in the Federal Register on Monday. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the proposed $103,265 fee for the H-1B visa program.

However, a federal judge in June had declared the fee illegal. The department intends to solicit public comments on the proposal for a period of 30 days following the official publication of the Federal Register notice, scheduled for Tuesday. This proposed fee aims to generate revenue to offset the federal government's expenses in managing the lawful immigration system, stated the DHS in the notice.

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a yearly $100,000 fee for an H-1B nonimmigrant visa application, which is set to lapse next month as per its terms. The notice emerged as the Trump administration intensifies its immigration controls under its America First policy. The H-1B program is limited to an annual worldwide cap of 85,000 visas.