Trump's $100,000 Fee on H-1B Visas Sparks Confusion and Concern
President Trump signed an executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applicants, causing panic among current visa holders and businesses.
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Overview
- President Trump signed an executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, affecting the annual cap of 85,000 visas.
- The White House clarified that the fee applies only to new applicants, leaving current visa holders in a precarious situation.
- Tech and finance companies are advising employees on visa matters due to the recent changes, which have caused widespread panic.
- The Indian government has expressed concern over the fee, warning of humanitarian consequences for many Indian workers affected by the changes.
- Critics argue the fee undermines American workers, while the U.S. Chamber of Commerce highlights the negative impact on businesses and employees.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the personal distress and confusion experienced by H-1B visa holders due to the initial policy announcement. They highlight the financial burden and emotional impact on individuals, portraying the White House's subsequent clarification as delayed and insufficient. The narrative prioritizes the human cost over a balanced presentation of the policy's rationale.
"Still, chaos and confusion persist."
Business Insider"Rohan Mehta described the last few days as "traumatic" adding he was glad his wife and daughter had not come to India with him on this trip."
BBC News"The ambiguity was enough to trigger a worst-case interpretation inside boardrooms and across living rooms from Bengaluru to London."
NBC News"Trump's steep new fee for H-1B visas is a slap in the face for the tech industry, which hires thousands of foreign-born workers every year."
NPR"Trump's fee will likely face legal challenges."
USA TODAY"With the policy set to go into effect Sunday, Big Tech companies are reportedly telling H-1B holders in their workforces to either remain in the United States or return from overseas before the new policy is enacted, according to CNBC."
Gizmodo"The administration’s new move is designed to crack down on what it calls widespread abuse of the program, which it blames for displacing American workers."
TechCrunch"Large tech companies have responded to President Donald Trump’s dramatic changes to H-1B visa applications by telling employees with those visas to remain in the United States."
TechCrunch"The ministry warned that ”this measure is likely to have humanitarian consequences by way of the disruption caused for families."
Chicago Tribune"The Indian government expressed concern Saturday about President Donald Trump's latest push to upend American immigration policy, dramatically raising the fee for visas that bring tech workers from India and other countries to the United States."
ABC News"The Indian government expressed concern Saturday about President Donald Trump’s latest push to upend American immigration policy, dramatically raising the fee for visas that bring tech workers from India and other countries to the United States."
Associated Press"The visa fee for skilled workers would jump from $215."
ABC News"The Gold Card program aims to attract wealthy individuals to the U.S. by offering expedited visas in exchange for significant financial contributions."
CBS News"The administration’s new move is designed to crack down on what it calls widespread abuse of the program, which it blames for displacing American workers."
TechCrunch"The Trump administration has said the program is aimed at curbing abuse of the program and protecting American workers."
NPR"The new fee comes amid a debate over the H-1B visa, which some critics say enables companies to hire foreign applicants at lower salaries than American workers."
CBS News"Trump’s fees are part of his strategy to favor U.S. citizens over foreign workers and comes amid a broader crackdown on immigration."
USA TODAY"The proclamation-signing is a win for immigration hardliners on Capitol Hill, but is likely to rankle tech executives seeking qualified workers from abroad."
NBC News"President Donald Trump plans to introduce a new $100,000 application fee for H-1B worker visas, according to a White House official, in an effort to reduce their use as part of his broader immigration crackdown."
USA TODAY"The $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applicants is expected to have a devastating impact on small businesses and could hinder American competitiveness in the tech sector."
BBC NewsArticles (38)
FAQ
The $100,000 fee applies only to new H-1B visa applicants; current visa holders with valid visas are not subject to the new fee when re-entering the United States.
Current H-1B visa holders are advised to postpone international travel because leaving the U.S. after the order takes effect could require paying the $100,000 fee or obtaining a waiver, which currently has no clear implementation process.
The executive order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on September 21, 2025, and will remain in effect through September 21, 2026, unless extended or changed.
Tech and finance companies have advised their employees to avoid traveling internationally and to return to the United States before the order takes effect to avoid complications related to the new fee.
The Indian government expressed concern over the fee, warning it could have humanitarian consequences for many Indian workers affected by the changes to the H-1B visa program.
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