High $100K Fee Expected to Disrupt U.S. H-1B Visa Hiring Across Industries

President Donald Trump has implemented a new $100,000 fee on some H-1B visa applications, aiming to curb what he describes as exploitation of the program to replace American workers. This steep increase has caused concern among various sectors, including tech startups and established companies like automakers and engineering firms, which rely heavily on skilled foreign workers. While some executives, like Arko Chattopadhyay of AI startup Pipeshift, believe they can adapt by hiring local talent or remote workers, others warn the fee could severely disrupt hiring plans, particularly for small and mid-sized firms. The fee applies only to new visa applications starting with the 2026 lottery, and current visa holders are not affected, but the abrupt announcement initially caused confusion and panic for businesses with employees traveling abroad. Critics worry the fee might harm the U.S. economy and innovation by limiting access to high-demand STEM talent, though supporters argue it protects American jobs. Despite the challenges, some companies are exploring alternative hiring strategies to navigate the new immigration landscape.