Donald Trump to levy $100,000 H-1B visa application fee; overhaul aimed at protecting American workers: Report

The US administration plans a major change to the H-1B visa programme, with President Donald Trump expected to sign a proclamation Friday imposing a $100,000 application fee, according to a White House official, quoted in a Bloomberg report.

The order is intended to curb misuse of the visa category and its perceived impact on American jobs. Entry under the programme would require the hefty payment, the official said (anonymously), while the Labour Secretary will be directed to begin revising H-1B wage rules to protect US workers from wage suppression.


The technology sector, a heavy user of H-1B visas, is likely to feel the sharpest effects. The White House argues the new measures will bolster the integrity of the system and reduce exploitation. A document reviewed by Bloomberg News describes the replacement of American workers with lower-cost foreign labour as a national-security issue that discourages domestic STEM careers.

It remains unclear whether the $100,000 fee will be added to or replace existing charges. Current costs include a $215 lottery registration and a $780 Form I-129 filing.

The programme grants 85,000 visas annually through a lottery that some firms allegedly game by submitting multiple applications, often to hire lower-paid staff via staffing and outsourcing companies.

This move aligns with broader immigration fee hikes for work permits, asylum requests and other services, intended to fund detention facilities, expanded border barriers and additional enforcement personnel.