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The Trump administration's H-1B visa overhaul, prioritising high-skilled, well-paid workers, follows a hefty $100,000 fee hike. Aimed at curbing the visa programme misuse, the move has sparked a debate if it would really protect American jobs or drive talent abroad.
The latest change in the visa policy follows a White House proclamation issued last Friday, which introduced a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications. (Image: File)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Sep 23, 2025 19:38 IST
The Trump administration has proposed an overhaul of the H-1B visa selection process, prioritising higher-skilled and better-compensated workers, as outlined in a Federal Register notice released on Tuesday, reported Reuters.
This change follows a White House proclamation issued on Friday, which introduced a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, a sharp increase from the previous fee range of $215 to $5,000, depending on the company size.
The new policy aims to curb what the administration describes as misuse of the programme, ensuring that only highly skilled foreign workers are selected while encouraging companies to prioritise American workers.
On Friday, September 19, President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications, a move designed to reform the skilled worker programme and address concerns about its exploitation.
The H-1B visa, critical for US tech and other industries to hire foreign talent, particularly from India and China, has been a cornerstone of employment-based immigration since 1990. The steep fee increase, effective from Sunday, September 21, has sparked widespread debate, with critics arguing it could hinder innovation and drive talent to countries like Canada and the UK, while supporters claim it protects American jobs by discouraging companies from hiring lower-paid foreign workers.
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Published By:
Anand Singh
Published On:
Sep 23, 2025
