Trump administration seeks to formalise H-1B fee of more than $100,000

Key Points:

• The Trump administration has proposed a permanent $103,265 fee for H-1B work visa applications, significantly increasing costs from the previous $2,000 to $5,000 range, aiming to formalize a controversial fee first introduced temporarily last year.
• The proposal, published in the US Federal Register, will undergo a 30-day public comment period before potential finalization by the Department of Homeland Security; it follows a federal judge's ruling that the prior $100,000 fee was illegal.
• The H-1B visa program, which grants 65,000 visas annually plus 20,000 for advanced degree holders, is heavily used in tech, education, and research sectors but has seen a decline in applications amid the fee increase and broader immigration restrictions.
• Legal challenges against the fee are ongoing, with lawsuits from the US Chamber of Commerce, Democratic-led states, unions, and employers arguing that the president lacks authority to impose such fees without Congressional approval.
• Critics, including President Trump, argue the H-1B program is abused to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor, while business groups contend the visa is essential to fill skill gaps and attract top talent to the US workforce.