The New H-1B Visa Fee: A Financial Wall for Employers
By Ptrikha_2
@ptrikha_2 (48795)
India
September 21, 2025 11:37am CST
In a sweeping proclamation, the Trump administration has introduced a mandatory $100K fee on H-1B visa applications.
This new fee, effective from September 21, 2025, represents a dramatic increase from the previous cost of $1200, aiming to protect American jobs by making it financially unviable for companies to hire foreign workers for entry-level positions.
The move, while praised by some as a necessary measure to curb program abuse, has been met with concern from tech companies and other industries that rely on skilled foreign professionals. The administration clarifies that this is a one-time fee for new applicants and not an annual charge for existing visa holders.
How this plays out in short and medium term remains to be seen.
Sources:
The Hindu
The Economic Times
4 people like this
5 responses
@ptrikha_2 (48795)
• India
30 Sep
@mytunemagic
Bad for Indian employees aspiring for longer stays in US but well, over a period of time, they would start exploring other avenues.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (48795)
• India
2 Oct
@mytunemagic
Also many who are already set would not be eager to help those who are still to come !
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (48795)
• India
2 Oct
@mytunemagic
Hard lessons are that we in India should fight to get rid of corruption, nepotism.
Plus pressurize our leaders to reform education.
So less of the GDP is spent on Education.
If we think in terms of competing with the likes of China on global economic stage, we must invest in R&D.
The number of Thesis that are published in India per year is nothing compared to China.
The so called "Brain Drain" can be stopped if Politics and Administration is reformed in India.
It is doable but first of all, Middle class has to come together and ask for what is rightful.
Yet in my mind and heart, I know that this can occur only with some magic.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (48795)
• India
27 Sep
@jaylar
Restricting outsiders to control numbers as such is not a bad policy.
What is bad is the big bag approach and the way it is being done, and is being done in a manner as to demonize those coming from outside.
I worry that it could increase incidents of racial hate in US.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (48795)
• India
26 Sep
@JudyEv
At a first glance, it looks demeaning for those applying for H1B visas and that primarily means Indians (almost 70%) .
Yet that also means other opportunities and US loses on external talent as well!
Let us see how things unfold.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (91499)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Sep
Interesting time will tell,
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (48795)
• India
26 Sep
@RasmaSandra
Why to go to a country whose MAGA President can host Global Jihad and terror sponsors very well but make entry tough for genuine talent !!
Let's see how things go !
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (48795)
• India
27 Sep
@jaylar
Yes and many were fairly there.
It would have also angered those in power in Seoul.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (48795)
• India
27 Sep
@jaylar
And they were "skilled" in their expertise but still treated so badly.
@lifecoachjerusalem (1423)
• Israel
27 Sep
This is a big hurdle that US companies will face. Maybe they will want to hire Americans, or shift their jobs to other companies. $ 100,000 might even finance opening up a new office in another country. The jobs will go elsewhere, not stay in the USA.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (48795)
• India
27 Sep
@lifecoachjerusalem
Some reports indicate that this move might in fact increase offshoring!
Are there many Israelis trying to get H1B?
@ptrikha_2 (48795)
• India
27 Sep
@lifecoachjerusalem
Now I am with a company whose clients are in Europe.
So no US connect as of now although some of my friends do have.
1 person likes this
@jaylar (2732)
• Kingston, Jamaica
21 Sep
The reason they want so many people is because there are few Americans. In my country the best techies are virtually abducted by America.
My expectation is that companies will retract so as to avoid the tariffs. Instead of expanding, opening new offices in the US they will trim their local operation and open businesses in other countries.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (48795)
• India
26 Sep
@jaylar
Indians and others would either need to explore Europe or try within their own country.
Not easy but not undoable as well!
@ptrikha_2 (48795)
• India
27 Sep
@jaylar
That time is far away.
However, there could be situations which might see dilution in this order.
Nothing is predictable with Trump & Co.
@ptrikha_2 (48795)
• India
30 Sep
@jaylar
Yes talented people would try to avoid coming to US.
May be Jihadist Folks can fill the void !
