Trump Administration Imposes $100K Fee on New H‑1Bs

The Trump administration issued a presidential proclamation effective Sept. 21 imposing a one-time $100,000 fee on new H‑1B petitions and released a proposal to rework H‑1B selection to favor higher‑paid, higher‑skilled applicants. The administration says the fee applies prospectively to new petitions only and exempts current H‑1B holders and renewals. The abrupt announcement — and initial confusion, including an early suggestion the charge might be annual — prompted a scramble by firms and visa holders, with many employers advising staff to remain in the U.S. while some visa holders rushed to return before the rule took effect. Tech companies, Indian IT firms, startups and labor‑intensive sectors warned it could raise costs, spur offshore delivery or relocation, and hurt U.S. competitiveness, while some business leaders voiced support for merit‑based selection despite surprise at the timing. Legal and policy uncertainty — including questions about exemptions for universities and nonprofits — has prompted expectations of industry restructuring and likely legal challenges.