The U.S. government has set a $100,000 yearly fee for H-1B work visas
Washington, D.C. – The United States government has made a big change to its work visa program. Starting September 21, 2025, companies must pay $100,000 every year for each H-1B visa they use. This new rule was signed by President Donald Trump and is part of a plan to change how skilled workers from other countries are hired in the U.S.
The H-1B visa is used by American companies to bring in workers from other countries who have special skills. These workers often work in technology, engineering, medicine, and other important fields. Until now, companies paid smaller fees to apply for these visas. But with the new rule, the cost will be much higher.
Why Is This Happening?
Government officials say the goal is to stop companies from using cheap foreign labor and to make sure only highly paid, skilled workers are hired. The Department of Labor will also change the rules about how much these workers must be paid. The Department of Homeland Security will give preference to workers who earn higher salaries.
What Does This Mean for Companies?
Big companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft use thousands of H-1B workers every year. For example, Amazon had over 12,000 H-1B approvals in 2025. With the new fee, these companies could end up paying millions more each year. Smaller companies may not be able to afford the new cost at all.
What Are People Saying?
Some lawyers and immigration experts say this new fee might not be legal. They argue that only Congress has the power to set such high fees. Others worry that this will hurt the U.S. economy by making it harder to hire talented workers from around the world.
Many workers who already have H-1B visas are now rushing to renew them or enter the U.S. before the new fee starts. If they don’t, they might lose their chance to work in the country.
What Happens Next?
The new rule starts on September 21, 2025. People are waiting to see if courts will challenge the decision or if Congress will step in. In the meantime, companies and workers are trying to figure out how to deal with the change.