U.S. President Donald Trump will sign an executive order Friday, September 19, imposing a $100,000 fee on all H-1B visa applications, according to a White House official.
The move is part of the administration’s ongoing crackdown on immigration and is aimed at limiting applicants to those from higher financial brackets. The White House argues the current program allows companies to exploit low-wage workers, hurting U.S. salaries.
The steep fee could heavily impact the tech industry, which relies on skilled workers from India and China — the top H-1B beneficiaries. While major tech firms like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta may absorb the costs, smaller start-ups could struggle.
Critics say the measure will discourage global talent from seeking opportunities in the U.S., ultimately stifling innovation and economic growth.
