Trump administration proposes $103,000 fee for H-1B visas

Key Points:

• The Trump administration has proposed a new $103,265 fee for H-1B visa applications, aiming to recover immigration system costs and encourage hiring American workers, following a previous $100,000 fee attempt invalidated by a federal judge.
• The proposed regulation is not yet final and could take months to be implemented, with a 30-day public comment period and potential legal challenges ahead.
• H-1B visas allow foreign professionals with at least a bachelor's degree to work in specialized fields in the US for up to six years, with an annual cap of 65,000 visas plus 20,000 for advanced degree holders from US institutions.
• The Trump administration argues the H-1B program is overused and limits opportunities for American workers, while economists contend it helps US companies remain competitive and create jobs.
• In June, a federal judge ruled that President Trump lacked authority to impose the large fee, stating only Congress can enact such changes to immigration policy, viewing the fee as a tax beyond presidential power.