Trump Administration Imposes $100K H-1B Visa Fee Affecting Tech and Healthcare Sectors

The Trump administration has imposed a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, a move that has stirred significant concern across multiple industries, particularly among tech companies and healthcare organizations. This fee, aimed at regulating high-skilled immigration and prioritizing American workers, requires sponsoring employers to pay before submitting applications, but it does not apply to renewals or existing H-1B visa holders reentering the U.S. Healthcare sectors, especially in Republican-led states like Iowa, North Dakota, and West Virginia, fear the fee could exacerbate physician shortages, as these states have high percentages of foreign-born clinicians and have been lobbying for exemptions. The Department of Homeland Security has the authority to grant exemptions if deemed in the national interest, though no formal carveouts for health workers have been made yet. Employers are considering alternatives such as offshoring, other visa types, or pausing hiring, while awaiting further guidance and potential litigation outcomes. The new policy continues to generate debate regarding its impact on workforce mobility, healthcare delivery, and the tech industry's ability to attract foreign talent.