Trump renews USD 1,00,000 fee on H-1B visas, tightens scrutiny

President Donald Trump has renewed a USD 1,00,000 fee on employers for bringing in foreign workers on H-1B visas, and tightened scrutiny of the H-1B visa application process, according to a White House statement. The 2025 decision led to a 92 percent decrease in H-1B registrations by major IT outsourcing companies, the proclamation noted.

The fee extension is expected to safeguard the economic and national security interests of the United States, enhance labor market access for American workers and graduates, and ensure employers recruit only highly-skilled workers when necessary. Indians continue to be the largest beneficiaries of the US H-1B visa program. However, the 2025 fee hike has faced legal challenges and is currently under review by two federal courts.

The order applies to visas granted to foreign nationals already in the US on student visas or renewals of current visas. It also mandates the Secretary of Labour to review data from labor condition applications within 30 days to determine if further action against sponsoring employers is necessary. Additionally, the President issued a separate proclamation to strengthen program integrity by improving inter-agency cooperation in the H-1B visa program.

The order directs relevant secretaries to consider recent or planned layoffs of US workers when reviewing H-1B visa applications, aiming to prevent employers from undercutting and displacing skilled American labor.