From 'Take A Step Back' To 'Broken System': Musk's Contradictory Posts On H1-B Visa Resurface

Last Updated:September 21, 2025, 12:49 IST

Trump raised H1B visa fees to 100,000 US dollars, impacting tech workers. Musk’s shifting stance on H1-B reform and its role in SpaceX and Tesla has sparked renewed debate.

In one of his posts on X, Musk suggested an annual maintenance fee to make hiring foreign workers significantly more expensive than recruiting domestically. (file photo)

Amid US President Donald Trump’s latest push to reshape the country’s immigration policy by imposing a fee of $100,000 on H1B visas, a series of contradictory statements on the issue by his former ally Elon Musk has resurfaced.

As the tech industry reels from the impact of this decision, Musk’s flip-flop on the issue has resurfaced online, drawing attention to his shifting stance. In December last year, the billionaire businessman strongly defended the H-1B system, citing its role in the success of his companies–SpaceX and Tesla.

At one point, however, Mr Musk, who is originally from South Africa, said he is able to reside in the US because of the visa system.

“The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B.", He posted on X on December 28.

In a now-viral tweet, the Tesla boss even declared, “Take a big step back and FUCK YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend."

However, just hours earlier that same day, he had acknowledged that the visa system needed fixing, writing, “No question that the H1B system needs to be overhauled."

A day later, he changed his stance again, calling the program “broken" and advocating for “major reform" while commenting on a post on H1-B visa. Among his suggestions were a higher minimum salary and an annual maintenance fee to make hiring foreign talent significantly more expensive than recruiting domestically.

“Easily fixed by raising the minimum salary significantly and adding a yearly cost for maintaining the H1B, making it materially more expensive to hire from overseas than domestically. I’ve been very clear that the program is broken and needs major reform.", he tweeted.

In a major policy shift announced on Friday, President Donald Trump raised the annual fee for H-1B visas to $100,000 for high-skilled foreign workers. The steep increase is expected to have a significant impact on Indian professionals, who represent a large portion of the tech workforce brought in by US-based companies.

The H1-B visa program in the US is designated for individuals employed in specialty occupations, particularly in the technology sector. Common recipients include software engineers, IT professionals, and tech program managers. These visas are initially valid for three years and can be extended for an additional three years.

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