The new charge of $100,000 for H-1B visa applications is unprecedented for U.S immigration policy. It challenges how businesses, foreign professionals, and the American workforce itself operate. The H-1B visa is primarily focused on the specialized STEM workers, and the implication of this fee shifts the focus of immigration policy from bringing specialized workers into the U.S. to something more complex that demands further explanation. This article looks to spell out the explanation.
What does the fee mean for H-1B visa applicants?
President Trump enacted the new fee of $100,000 for H-1B visa applications on September 19, 2025, replacing the $2,000-$5,000 range that had previously applied. This increase is considered by many as the most extreme change in visa policies regarding entry to the U.S. for foreign specialized professionals. The policy increase caused monumental change for STEM workers and further solicited the need to explain further immigration policies as much as the restrictions on entry to the U.S. are applied.
Who is liable for the fee and is it justified?
The employer is solely liable for the fee. The fee is justified on the basis of the H-1B visa being the most common type of visa. It is the gold standard of U.S. immigration and is considered a sponsorship visa. Every U.S. employer that sponsors an H-1B worker must obtain a sponsorship letter and provide proof of the fee payment. The fee does not apply to people that are renewing their visa status, or people who currently hold an H-1B visa. Bridge policies exist to create an even sponsorship. This allows waiting periods for employees until their H-1B sponsorship is approved, helping to synergize schedules.
Rationale for the New Fee
The administration protects American workers. They think high application costs will control program misuse. They think employers will have to explain why they sponsor each visa and justify hiring more important foreign workers. Critics think the high cost will close the talent pipeline for technology and research. This will make it hard for small American companies and universities to compete internationally.
Impact and Application Scope
Employers will have a hard time hiring workers outside the U.S. Since the fee is only a one-time cost, it will be even more difficult for smaller companies, startups, and universities to bring in foreign workers. The fee only applies to new H-1B petitions submitted after September 21, 2025. All other renewals, extensions, and current holders are unaffected.
Implications for U.S. Talent and Global Competition
Concerns over the cost of this new policy tend to override any argument for the policy’s intent. If the cost of working in the U.S. becomes prohibitively high for innovation and the attraction of skilled foreign workers to the U.S. becomes one hostile to business, is the new policy incoherent? If the big tech companies in the U.S. can absorb this cost, what happens in a few months and years to American innovators below the tech sector—academia, research, and small businesses?
Short Table: H-1B Visa Fee Data
| Application Type | Fee Amount | Payer | Applies To |
|---|---|---|---|
| New H-1B Petitions | $100,000 | Employer | Only applications post-Sept 21 |
| Existing Holders | $0 (no change) | – | Exempt |
| Renewal/Extension | Pre-2025 rates | Employer | Exempt from new fee |
FAQs
1. Is the $100,000 fee applicable to H-1B renewals?
No, this fee is applicable to new applications only after September 21, 2025.
2. Is the fee paid by the employee or the employer?
The employer pays the fee as part of the application process.
3. What is the rationale behind this new policy?
The government aims to prioritize highly skilled workers, reduce abuse and protect American jobs.
