President Donald Trump has introduced a new $152,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, marking a significant change to the US skilled worker visa system. The fee aims to reshape how companies hire foreign professionals and prioritise highly skilled workers. The fee will affect both new visa applicants and those seeking renewals, beginning 21 September 2025.
New $152,000 Fee for H-1B Visa Applications
Trump signed an executive order in the Oval Office to impose a $152,000 fee for every H-1B visa application submitted by employers sponsoring foreign workers. This fee represents a drastic increase from the current standard fees, which typically range from $1,700 to $4,500 depending on processing and employer size. The order takes immediate effect on 21 September 2025.
The president stated, “We need exceptional talent, and this essentially ensures that’s what will occur.” He emphasised that the aim is to ensure companies sponsor only highly skilled workers and not replaceable employees. The proclamation restricts entry unless the fee is paid in full by the sponsoring company.
Trump signs an executive order to impose a $152,000 fee for every H-1B visa application
Trump: “We Need Exceptional Talent” in US Workforce
The administration claims the H-1B visa program has been “deliberately exploited” to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign labour. Trump described the current system as “one of the most abused visa systems” particularly by information technology firms. The fee hike is part of a wider immigration overhaul designed to protect US workers while maintaining pathways for “truly extraordinary people” to contribute.
White House staff secretary Will Scharf said, “This will ensure that the people they’re bringing in are actually very highly skilled and that they’re not replaceable by American workers.” This policy aims to encourage companies to hire domestic workers or sponsor only those with exceptional skills.
Impact on Employers and Tech Industry
Major technology and IT companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, Apple and Tata Consultancy Services rely heavily on H-1B visas. According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services data, Amazon employed over 10,000 H-1B visa holders in 2025, with TCS second highest at around 5,500. These firms now face significantly increased costs to sponsor these workers.
Previous H-1B visa fees included a $215 registration charge, a $780 filing fee, and additional anti-fraud fees. The new $152,000 fee will add substantial financial burden for employers, likely forcing them to reconsider sponsorships. Several tech companies have reportedly urged their foreign employees to return to the US before the new fee takes effect.
Amazon hired over 10,000 H-1B visa holders in 2025
Changes to Wage Standards and Visa Integrity
Along with the fee increase, the Department of Labor will raise prevailing wage requirements for H-1B workers to ensure salaries meet market rates, further increasing costs for employers. This move aims to reduce hiring of foreign workers at below-market wages.
The proclamation addresses concerns over firms submitting multiple applications to flood the lottery system. It seeks to eliminate “systemic abuse” of the program by placing tougher financial and compliance obligations on companies.
New Visa Pathways Introduced
Trump also unveiled “Gold Card” and “Platinum Card” visa programs to complement the new fee structure. These cards, priced at $1 million for individuals, offer a faster pathway through immigration with exclusive privileges. The administration positions these cards as alternatives to traditional employment-based visas that may offer citizenship.
Trump unveils ‘Gold Card’ visa program
Background and Purpose of the H-1B Visa Reform
Introduced in 1990, the H-1B visa targets foreign workers in specialised roles, mostly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. The visas require applicants to hold at least a bachelor’s degree and have historically been allocated by lottery due to demand exceeding the 85,000 annual cap.
Over time, critics claim the program became a channel for companies to hire lower-paid foreign labour instead of investing in the US workforce. Supporters contend it attracts global talent essential for innovation and competitiveness.
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Wider Immigration Context
This policy forms part of the Trump administration’s wider crackdown on immigration. It includes tighter rules for international students and travellers and demands that visa applicants provide social media information.
Economic and Global Implications
The fee hike is expected to reshape the US tech sector hiring model and could slow the inflow of skilled foreign workers who have been critical to the industry. India accounted for about 71% of H-1B visa beneficiaries last year, with China contributing around 11.7%. The fee may particularly impact companies dependent on talent from these countries.
Summary
This is one of the major reforms to the H-1B visa system that has been done by President Trump in more than 30 years. The hike in the H-1B visa fee to $152,000 will affect all H-1B visa applications since 21 September 2025. The policy is geared towards systemic abuse reduction, wage standard increase, and emphasis on the recruitment of highly skilled foreign employees. The administration is also aiming to secure American jobs and still access talent in the world with the introduction of the new visa card programmes.
This will impact the tech giants, IT companies, and other sectors that are dependent on foreign employees. It is a significant change in the US policies of immigration and employment and has far-reaching economic effects on other countries. The White House upholds the priority of the US in the employment of its population and only the most skilled foreigners will be able to receive skilled work visas.
