Trump Administration Imposes $100K Fee on New H-1B Visas Affecting US Tech Industry

President Trump signed a proclamation restricting entry of certain nonimmigrant workers, including imposing a new $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications starting September 21, 2025, as part of an effort to curb abuses of the H-1B visa program and protect American workers. The fee applies only to new H-1B visa petitions filed after the effective date and does not affect current H-1B visa holders or those renewing their visas, allowing them to continue traveling in and out of the United States without additional fees. This move has generated significant confusion and backlash, especially among tech companies heavily reliant on H-1B workers, such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Apple, which have advised affected employees to adjust travel plans accordingly. Industry insiders expressed concern that the new fee could drive foreign talent to other countries, while some, like Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings, supported the measure as a way to prioritize high-value jobs. The White House described the proclamation as an incremental step toward reforming the H-1B program, but critics argue it does not address workers already in the country and called for stronger measures. Overall, the announcement has sparked widespread debate about balancing immigration reform with the needs of the tech industry and American labor market.