Trump administration moves to impose more than $100,000 fee for H-1B worker visas

President Donald Trump's administration has proposed a regulation to impose a fee of over $100,000 on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. This unprecedented fee, which first temporarily took effect last year, significantly increases the cost of visas crucial in tech, education, and research sectors. A federal judge blocked the fee in June, but a Boston-based appeals court is currently reviewing the decision while another court assesses a challenge by a major business group.

The proposed rule, posted in the Federal Register on Monday, aims to make the $103,265 fee permanent and finalize it by the end of the year. The H-1B program permits U.S. employers to hire foreign workers with expertise in specialized fields, granting 65,000 visas annually, with an additional 20,000 for those holding advanced degrees, valid for three to six years.

This fee would not apply to visas granted to foreign citizens already in the U.S. on student visas or to renewals of existing visas.