US President Donald Trump on Friday issued a proclamation imposing a hefty USD 100,000 application fee on H-1B visas, in a move aimed at curbing what his administration describes as widespread abuse of the program.
The H-1B visa allows US companies to hire foreign workers in specialized fields such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and information technology. Indians have been the largest beneficiaries of the program, accounting for over 70% of approved petitions annually since 2015.
According to the White House, the new fee is intended to ensure that only “highly skilled” and irreplaceable foreign workers are brought into the US, while protecting opportunities for American graduates.
White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf said, “The H-1B program is one of the most abused visa systems. By raising the sponsorship fee to $100,000, companies will be forced to ensure they are bringing in truly exceptional talent—workers who cannot be replaced by Americans.”
US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick echoed this view, stressing that the move would deter companies from training foreign workers at the expense of Americans. “If companies have to pay $100,000 to the government plus salaries, it simply won’t be economic to replace US workers. The idea is to train recent graduates from our universities, hire Americans, and stop outsourcing jobs,” Lutnick said.
The proclamation marks the latest step in Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, which could significantly impact industries that rely on H-1B workers, particularly the tech sector.
The decision also aligns with criticism voiced by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has called the H-1B system a “total scam.” He alleged that companies exploit the program by making American employees train foreign workers before replacing them.
Reiterating this stance on social media, Commerce Secretary Lutnick posted on X: “The current H-1B visa system is a scam that lets foreign workers fill American job opportunities. Hiring American workers should be the priority of all great American businesses. Now is the time to hire American.”
