Trump Admin Moves To Raise H-1B Visa Fee Above $100,000: Why Indians Could Face A Big Blow

Last Updated:August 25, 2026, 05:37 IST

The new rule would now go through a 30-day public comment period and could be finalised by the end of the year.

Representative image of the US H1-B visa.

The Trump administration on Monday proposed making a more than $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas permanent, a move that could significantly raise hiring costs for US employers and have a major impact on Indian professionals, who account for the largest share of H-1B workers.

The US Department of Homeland Security proposed a fee of $103,265 for new H-1B visas.

The proposal comes after an earlier $100,000 fee introduced by US President Donald Trump last year was blocked by a federal judge and remains tied up in legal challenges.

The new rule would now go through a 30-day public comment period and could be finalised by the end of the year.

Why Indians Could Feel The Heat?

The H-1B programme allows US employers to hire foreign workers in specialised fields such as technology, engineering, education and research. The US issues 65,000 regular H-1B visas each year, plus 20,000 for workers with advanced degrees.

Indians are likely to be among those most affected. Official data cited by AFP shows that 70% of H-1B workers in fiscal 2025 were from India, followed by China at 12%.

However, the proposed fee would not apply to H-1B visas granted to foreign nationals already in the US on student visas, or to renewals of existing H-1B visas.

The fee could still make it significantly more expensive for US companies to recruit skilled Indian workers from overseas.

Before Trump’s earlier order, H-1B-related fees typically ranged between $2,000 and $5,000. The proposed $103,265 charge would therefore represent a dramatic increase.

Trump Says H-1B System Needs Reform

The administration argues that the H-1B programme has been abused by companies to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labour. The new proposal also says the higher fee could make employers less likely to choose an H-1B worker over a qualified American.

Business groups, however, say the programme helps US companies fill shortages and recruit highly skilled workers.

The proposed fee also faces a legal battle. A federal judge blocked the earlier $100,000 charge in June, ruling that the administration had exceeded its authority. Other litigation over the fee is ongoing.

The Trump administration maintains that the charge is not a tax and falls within the president’s authority to restrict the entry of foreign nationals.

(With inputs from agencies)

Key Questions Answered

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Will the H-1B visa fee increase become permanent?

The Trump administration has proposed making the $103,265 H-1B visa fee permanent, with the US Department of Homeland Security proposing this fee after a temporary increase expires in September. This proposed rule could be finalised by the end of the year.

How will this fee impact US companies hiring foreign workers?

The proposed H-1B visa fee hike could lead to US companies becoming more selective about which foreign workers they sponsor, particularly in roles where the cost may not justify the investment. Companies facing higher compliance costs might reconsider hiring and extension decisions.

What are the next steps for this H-1B visa proposal?

The proposed H-1B visa fee will undergo a 30-day public comment period and could be finalised by the end of the year.

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