Trump Proposes $100K H-1B Fee, Threatening Tech Hiring

A Forbes report indicates that President Donald Trump has proposed a new annual fee of $100,000 for H-1B visa applications. This proposed measure could significantly impede the U.S. tech industry, as major employers like Amazon, Apple, and Google, which depend on the program to attract skilled foreign talent, may experience hiring disruptions. Established in 1990, the H-1B visa program permits U.S. companies to hire foreign nationals for positions requiring specialized knowledge and a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. These eligible fields encompass technology, finance, and medicine, among others. The current application process involves employers submitting an I-29 petition, subject to an annual cap of approximately 85,000 visas for most private companies, which necessitates a lottery system. Current fees are comparatively low, consisting of a $215 lottery registration fee and a $780 petition fee. Federal data from June 30 highlights technology and consulting firms as the primary beneficiaries of the H-1B program. Amazon led as the largest employer with 10,044 workers, followed by Tata Consultancy Services (5,505), Microsoft (5,189), Meta (5,123), and Apple (4,202). A study conducted by the National Foundation for American Policy estimates an annual H-1B approval rate of about 20%. Approved visas are valid for up to six years, with the possibility of extensions.