Trump Imposes $100,000 Fee On H-1B Skilled Worker Visas

The President Donald Trump administration on Friday announced plans to impose a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas.

The move could reshape the American technology sector’s reliance on foreign talent.

The fee, set to take effect at midnight on Saturday, applies to each year of the visa’s three-year duration.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the measure was designed to encourage firms to train more American graduates rather than depend on workers from abroad.

“If you’re going to train somebody, train Americans. Stop bringing in people to take our jobs,” Lutnick said.

The H-1B programme, widely used by the technology, banking and consulting industries, allows U.S. companies to employ foreign professionals in specialized fields. More than 70% of H-1B recipients come from India, with China a distant second.

Microsoft and JPMorgan advised staff on H-1B visas to remain in the United States until further guidance is issued, warning that travel abroad could expose them to uncertainty.

Critics of the programme argue it suppresses wages and displaces U.S. workers, while supporters, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, himself a former H-1B holder, say it fills critical talent gaps and drives innovation.

The Trump administration also introduced a “gold card” option offering U.S. permanent residency for $1m.

Shares of Indian IT firms and U.S. companies heavily reliant on H-1B talent fell sharply after the announcement, with Cognizant closing nearly 5% lower.

The H-1B programme currently offers 65,000 visas annually, plus 20,000 more for advanced degree holders, with employers typically covering the costs.