Forbes: Trump's $100K Visa Fee a 'Gift' to European AI Startups

According to Forbes, President Trump's executive order imposing a $100,000 application fee for H-1B visas has generated concern among U.S. technology companies, while European AI startups view it as a potential advantage. The H-1B visa program is a widely used method for U.S. tech firms to recruit specialized talent from abroad. Following the unexpected announcement, major corporations, including Microsoft and Meta, reportedly requested employees traveling internationally to return to the United States immediately. While the substantial fee is unlikely to significantly impact large companies such as Alphabet and Meta, it could disproportionately affect smaller, less financially robust American startups. This may lead to a diminished competitive position relative to European firms. The Forbes report highlights that increasingly restrictive U.S. immigration policies and the risk of deportation had already begun to deter some skilled foreign workers. European tech firms are capitalizing on the situation as an opportunity amidst a competitive global talent landscape in the artificial intelligence sector. Victor Riparbelli, CEO of Synthesia, an AI company based in London, described the policy as a "blessing in disguise" for Europe. He anticipates a net negative impact for the U.S., emphasizing Europe's need for skilled labor, particularly in senior leadership positions. This new visa fee reflects the Trump administration's heightened focus on immigration. Concurrently, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has invested heavily in building an AI superintelligence team, offering significant compensation packages to attract leading researchers and engineers.