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H-1B Visa Fee to Exceed $100,000 in Permanent Rule Proposal by U.S. Government

The Trump administration proposes a rule to permanently raise the H-1B visa fee for high-skilled foreign workers to $103,265. Concerns arise over its impact on tech, education, and research sectors.

4 min read Reviewed & edited by the SINGULISM Editorial Team

H-1BVisaImmigration PolicyTech IndustryUnited States
H-1B Visa Fee to Exceed $100,000 in Permanent Rule Proposal by U.S. Government
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Overview of Permanent Proposal

The Trump administration has formally proposed a rule to significantly increase the fee for the “H-1B” visa, which is essential for employing high-skilled foreign workers in the U.S. This proposed rule, published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the Federal Register, seeks to permanently impose a fee of $103,265 (approximately 155 million yen) on certain new H-1B visas. This amount is far above the previous fee level of $2,000 to $5,000. According to an article by Slashdot’s BeauHD, the proposal aims to institutionalize a temporary fee increase that expires this fall, with a final decision expected by the end of the year.

Current State and Scope of the H-1B Program

The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers with specialized skills, issuing 65,000 visas annually, with an additional 20,000 reserved for those with advanced degrees. Visa validity typically ranges from three to six years and is widely used not only by the tech industry but also by universities and research institutions. The proposed high fee would be directly charged to employers applying for new visas. However, according to Reuters, the fee will not apply to foreign nationals currently in the U.S. on student visas (who make up the majority of new H-1B recipients) or to renewals of existing visas.

This fee increase plan is already subject to legal scrutiny. In June 2026, a federal court ruled the fee illegal and issued an injunction against its collection. While an appeals court based in Boston is reviewing this decision, separate litigation is ongoing in another court where major business groups are challenging the fee. The administration may be seeking to bypass judicial decisions by making this temporary measure permanent, and legal battles are likely to continue even after the rule is finalized.

Potential Impact on the Tech Industry

If implemented, the proposal would have a profound impact on the tech industry. For small and medium-sized startups and companies heavily reliant on overseas talent, a sharp increase in recruitment costs could diminish competitiveness. While large tech firms might absorb this through higher PR budgets or relocation expenses, universities and non-profit research institutions could face severe financial burdens. In the long term, one cannot rule out the possibility of a decline in the overall vitality of the U.S. innovation ecosystem or the exodus of top talent to rival nations like Canada and Europe.

Editorial Opinion

In the short term, this proposed rule is expected to be finalized this year, which could cause disruption to corporate hiring plans and budgeting in the next three to six months. Companies gearing up for next year’s recruitment season may find themselves forced to delay applications or hesitate to extend offers. Forcing the rule through amidst unresolved legal issues undermines predictability for the industry and could dampen long-term investment decisions. Looking ahead one to three years, this policy could fundamentally affect the U.S. technological innovation foundation. A reduction in the inflow of high-skilled talent could slow development in strategic fields like AI and cybersecurity, potentially narrowing the competitive gap with China. Conversely, unintended side effects such as wage increases for American engineers and greater investment in domestic talent development cannot be ignored. The editorial team notes that this proposal suggests more than just a financial hurdle; it signals a strategic shift in the global war for talent. The leap in H-1B visa costs to six figures makes it appear as if the U.S. is policy-wise relinquishing its status as “the nation that attracts the most talent.”

References

Source: Slashdot

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Edited & reviewed by Kenichiro Yamamoto

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