On Friday, the White House announced that President Donald Trump has extended an executive order that would impose a fee of $100,000 for H-1B non-immigrant visas by another year. This move is part of Trump's efforts to reform the US immigration system. The H-1B visa program allows US employers to hire skilled foreign workers for a fee, enabling tech and other professionals from abroad to work in the United States for a few years.
The Trump administration has faced criticism for its aggressive immigration crackdown, and the H-1B visa program has been a focal point of controversy. Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with the program, arguing that it allows companies to hire lower-paid foreign workers instead of Americans. However, business groups and companies claim that the visas help recruit highly skilled professionals and address a lack of qualified US workers in certain industries.
The proposed fee hike from between $2,000 and $5,000 to at least $100,000 has faced significant opposition. A Boston-based appeals court is currently reviewing a June decision by a federal judge who deemed the higher fee imposed by the Trump administration illegal and blocked the government from collecting it. The US Chamber of Commerce, the largest US business lobbying group, has also challenged the fee in court.
Trump's initial order for a fee hike, first released in September 2025, was set to expire this month. However, the extension of the executive order will maintain the proposed fee hike for now. The order does not apply to visas granted to foreign citizens already in the United States on student visas, who make up a large share of new H-1B recipients, or to renewals of current visas.
The H-1B visa program, established by Congress in 1990, is critical for tech companies seeking to recruit from countries such as India and China. Changes to how potential visa holders are scrutinized and processed have impacted companies' hiring and expansion plans. Some top H-1B users, such as Google parent company Alphabet, have moved to increase operations in India in response to these changes.
Despite the controversy surrounding the program, business groups argue that H-1B visas are essential for addressing labor shortages in certain industries. The program allows companies to fill gaps in their workforce with highly skilled professionals from abroad. However, critics argue that the program can be exploited by companies seeking to hire lower-paid foreign workers.
The extension of the executive order is likely to continue sparking debate about the H-1B visa program and the Trump administration's immigration policies. As the courts consider the legality of the proposed fee hike, companies and business groups will be watching closely for any developments that may impact their hiring and expansion plans.
Key points
- The proposed fee hike for H-1B visas has faced significant opposition from business groups and has been deemed illegal by a federal judge.
- The H-1B visa program is critical for tech companies seeking to recruit highly skilled professionals from abroad.
- The Trump administration's immigration policies have been marked by an aggressive crackdown on immigration.
