Trump Administration Imposes $100,000 Fee on H-1B Visas

The Trump administration has introduced several restrictive measures to the H-1B visa program, including a proposed fee of approximately $100,000 for certain new petitions. These financial barriers are accompanied by directives for increased scrutiny of employers who have laid off American workers and a proposed Department of Homeland Security rule to eliminate the 60-day grace period for displaced workers.

Government officials state these measures are intended to prioritize American workers and prevent program abuse. However, the policies have increased financial and personal instability for foreign professionals. While the program remains heavily oversubscribed—with 344,000 applications for 85,000 visas in fiscal year 2026—the heightened costs and regulatory uncertainty have led some workers to return to their home countries or relocate to cities like Toronto, Canada.

Immigration attorneys warn that these restrictions may deter innovation and revolutionary talent. The administration maintains that the program should supplement, not supplant, the domestic workforce.