Trump to Impose $100,000 Fee for H-1B Worker Visas, White House Says By Aditya Soni and Nandita Bose September 19, 2025, 8:24 PM UTC --- Overview U.S. President Donald Trump plans to introduce a new $100,000 application fee for H-1B worker visas, part of his broader immigration crackdown. The new policy aims to restrict entry under the H-1B visa program unless the high fee is paid, impacting sectors heavily reliant on skilled foreign workers, including technology companies with large numbers of Indian and Chinese employees. --- Key Details Fee Imposition: The White House official stated that Trump is expected to sign a proclamation soon to impose this significant new application fee. Current filing fees start at $215 but can rise to several thousand dollars depending on factors—this marks a drastic increase. Impact on Technology Sector: The H-1B program is critical for companies filling technical roles, especially in the IT sector. Major tech firms like Amazon had over 10,000 approved H-1B visas in the first half of 2025. Microsoft and Meta Platforms each had more than 5,000 approvals. The program is predominantly used for computer-related jobs, but also benefits engineers, educators, and healthcare workers. Company Stocks: Shares of Cognizant Technology Solutions, heavily dependent on H-1B visa holders, dropped more than 5% after the news. Criticism of H-1B Visas: Critics, including many American tech workers, argue that some companies use the visa program to suppress wages by favoring visa holders over domestic workers who might otherwise qualify. Visa Statistics: India accounted for 71% of approved H-1B visa beneficiaries last year. China was second with 11.7%. H-1B visas are valid for periods ranging between three to six years. News Source: Bloomberg News initially reported Trump's intention to sign the order for the new fee. --- Additional Context Companies Most Dependent on H-1B Visas Amazon.com Inc Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp Meta Platforms Inc Economic Angle The H-1B visa program's restriction may cause disruptions or slowdowns in sectors depending on foreign skilled labor. Reporting and Editorial The article was reported from Washington, Bengaluru, and San Francisco with editing by Rosalba O'Brien. --- Tags and Topics Media & Telecom Public Policy Immigration --- Related Stories Trump's FCC Chair using powers to rein in media companies Disney and Jimmy Kimmel address controversies ahead of program suspension Senate Republican Ted Cruz condemns government threats against broadcasters Market impacts from Federal Reserve interest rate policy Oracle's $20 billion AI cloud computing deal talks with Meta Elon Musk's xAI funding status --- This policy move signals a significant change in U.S. immigration and labor strategy, with widespread implications for the tech industry and foreign workers.