Trump to Add New $100,000 Fee for H-1B Visas in Latest Crackdown

[Zorro]

Source: Bloomberg

President Donald Trump is expected to sign a proclamation as soon as Friday that would move to extensively overhaul the H-1B visa program, requiring a $100,000 fee for applications in a bid to curb overuse, according to a White House official familiar with the matter.

Trump is set to sign a proclamation Friday, requiring the payment and asserting that abuse of the H-1B pathway has displaced US workers. The proclamation restricts entry under the H-1B program unless accompanied by the payment, added the official, who was granted anonymity to discuss the policy before it was announced.

The move will require a “$100,000 payment to accompany or supplement H-1B petitions for new applications,” according to a fact sheet seen by Bloomberg News. That payment would be in addition to current fees, which are more modest. Fees directly tied to the H-1B visa application currently include a $215 fee to register for the lottery alongside various filing fees.

Trump’s proclamation allows for case-by-case exemptions if in the national interest — opening a potential window for certain companies or industries to seek a workaround from the new fee.

Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-19/trump-to-add-new-100-000-fee-for-h-1b-visas-in-latest-crackdown?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc1ODMxMjg3MSwiZXhwIjoxNzU4OTE3NjcxLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUMlVDTU9HT1lNVFAwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJDNjgyQTUwQzJCRDM0MTFCQTgwQjEwQjZEQjczQzM1MSJ9.ixDE10yVeH6kBpOV0PAahTBS6eSrcW5rJmJvoL5x1lc

[twodogsbarking]

1. Saudis will have enough money. True Trump.

[Mark.b2]

2. I actually don't have a problem with this...

If an employer believes a worker is so specially skilled, then let the employer pay for it. $100k may be too low.

[Bristlecone]

4. I don't either. I work in tech

I have seen many, many people replaced with H1-B visa employees, and it’s not because they have specialized skills or expertise.

[thought crime]

16. H1-B is abused in Tech, but Trump's move is just to put pressure on India for other reasons.

Anyway, it does nothing to stop the labor abuse of using offshore tech workers.

[jls4561]

3. I had to look up H1B visa to see what it covers. Did you know it covers models?

Of course, his will exempt “models”. His definition of a model is a potential p***y grab.

If the “model” can work at his crypto grift, so much the better.

[IbogaProject]

5. "$100,000" Fee but it can be waived

So some amount can be paid up to bring large numbers of these indentured servants, who have to find a new job in like 60 or 90 days if they are fired.

[OC375]

6. $100,000 Per Worker?

I can't really tell... is it $100,000 for each worker desired, or is it $100,000 and apply for however many is desired?

Regardless, the number is too low. The wallets of State Farm, IBM, Amazon and Google spill $100,000 bills on the floor when they are looking for a $10 to pay for coffee. I do actually appreciate thei idea, but it doesn't begin to create much of a barrier at the levels where it's truly being abused.

[moniss]

7. He will use the "exemption" clause for extortion to

fill his pockets. Just like his crypto deals in the Middle East.

[70sEraVet]

8. My thought EXACTLY!

"....allows for case-by-case exemptions if in the national ( meaning Orange Shit-Stain's) interest...."

[thought crime]

17. Yes, another setup for corruption.

[iemanja]

9. The Koreans will love this

That factory in GA will soon be headed to the dust pile.

[Buddyzbuddy]

10. Who should they make the "check" out to?

[North Coast Lawyer]

11. stumbling onto a good idea

Every now and then dumb people manage to come up with a good idea. If there truly aren't any qualified Americans to fill temporary high tech positions then by all means let companies import talent. However, a very high fee ensures that this is a last resort rather an standard operating procedure.

Would be even better if that fee went to fund training for American workers.

[progressoid]

12. " in the national interest"

Like working for Trump's bitcoin business.

[AleksS]

13. I can just imagine what it takes to get a "waiver" though....

just make the check out to CASH

[iemanja]

15. The companies will get the waivers

Last edited Fri Sep 19, 2025, 10:15 PM - Edit history (1)

not the individuals. It will be companies that suck up to Trump.

[dlk]

14. Another day, an other shakedown...

n/t

[live love laugh]

18. Ludicrous.

[fujiyamasan]

19. Fine, I have no real problem with this

But I am always amused when this issue comes up here. Everyone howls about how bad of a program this is, yet the people on the visa are actually here legally. I don’t see any such outrage over any problems caused by illegal immigration and abuse of other visas, asylum claims, or amnesty.

[JT45242]

20. Case by case kickback from the company

Every edict is a nazi scheme or a shake down.

This one is a shakedown.

[RVN VET71]

21. Trum has, of course, provided statistics showing the dangers of loosely granted H-1B visas?

As President, he would never act on a hunch and a whim, right?

jesus christ why isn't he dead? And WHERE ARE THE GODDAM EPSTEIN FILES?

[Dixiegrrrl]

22. I believe visa rule changes have to be approved by Congress n/t

[IronLionZion]

23. Jobs that can be done remotely can be done overseas

no need for visas in that case.

Most of the complaints people have over H-1b have more to do with IT being contracted out. It can be called outsourcing or "X as a service" or IT consulting or other names. Americans don't like contracting because it goes against American cultural stuff like home ownership and community.

Contractors often move every few months or travel during the week. Contracting can be a bit more acceptable with remote work so workers can live where they want instead of being on client site every day. So if work can be done remotely across the US, the next step is to do it remotely outside the US for lower wages.