Trump 100K For H-1B: Horror Story Continues!
The proposed rule, expected to be released in December 2025, may also limit exemptions that currently benefit universities and non-profit organizations.;
United States president Donald Trump has come up with a shocker of an announcement with regard to the 100K fee imposition on H-1B visa. The Trump administration is reportedly planning new restrictions on the H-1B visa program, following a proposed $100,000 mandatory application fee.
A new rule titled “Reforming the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program” aims to tighten eligibility rules, increase oversight, and impose stricter scrutiny on employers, especially those using third-party placements.
The proposed rule, expected to be released in December 2025, may also limit exemptions that currently benefit universities and non-profit organizations.
Officials are considering replacing the existing lottery system with a wage-based model, which would favor higher-paying employers. The U.S. currently issues 65,000 H-1B visas annually, plus an additional 20,000 for advanced U.S. degree holders. India remains the largest beneficiary, accounting for nearly 75 percent of all approved applications in 2023.
The steep fee and stricter rules could drastically affect Indian tech professionals and smaller U.S. employers that rely on international talent. Larger tech companies may continue to thrive under a wage-based system, but startups and outsourcing firms could struggle. The proposed changes are expected to spark legal and political debates, as they could reshape the future of skilled immigration and significantly impact the U.S. technology and innovation sectors.