President Donald Trump signed an executive order to increase the H1B visa fee from $1,500 to $100,000. Initially Trump said that $100,000 H1B visa fees will be charged annually.
Due to recent events, the President of the United States clarified that the increased $100,000 H1B visa fee is a one-time payment.
There are 730,000 H1B visa holders in the U.S. The increased H-1B visa fee will impact them.
Here is everything about the $100,000 H1B Visa Executive Order and its impact and significance.
$100,000 H1B Visa Executive Order:
On September 19, 2025, the Donald Trump administration released an executive order to increase H1B visa fees. It is a necessary fee that every H1B visa holder must pay before entering the United States.
If an H1B visa holder spends 12 or more months abroad, then he must pay the H1B visa fee during his U.S. visit.
The executive order also gave the secretary of homeland security the right to determine that the H1B visa holder is not a threat to national security.
The Secretary of Homeland Security can waive off the $100k for H1B visa to support the U.S. economy.
The executive order also explains that now the employer is liable to provide the proof of H1B visa payment when hiring someone from outside the U.S.
With $100,000 in fees, it is highly unlikely that a highly skilled professional will choose an H1B visa to work in the United States.
While many consider it the significant move to avoid foreign workers on American soil, at the same time it raises questions about who will replace the H1B visa holders if they choose other countries over the U.S.
Microsoft also advised its H1B visa workers to come back to the United States within 24 hours to avoid $100,000 in visa fees.
Note: The United States has the most Chinese and Indian H1B visa holders. The increased cost can put their return to the United States in question.
U.S. Government Response to $100000 H1B Visa Fees:
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick advocates $100,000 visa fees to stop foreign population. He urged that it is better to train Americans than to bring people from other countries to take jobs.
White House staff secretary Will Scharf also added that the H1B visa is the most abused visa category.
How Many H-1B Visa Holders Are Working at Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta?
- 12000 H1B visa holders working at Amazon
- 5000+ H1B visa holders working at Microsoft.
- 5000+ H1B visa holders working at Meta.
$100000 H1B Visa Fees Lead to Immigration Crackdown:
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick questioned the authenticity of increased H1B visa fees.
Every year employers hire skilled professionals from other countries and pay H1B visa fees. But the new $100,000 fees will be too much to pay.
Donald Trump also approved a new “Gold Card” for people who can afford to pay $1 million to purchase U.S. permanent residency. In other words, it will work as a Golden Visa scheme.
Latest Updates to H1B Visas:
- $100,000 is the one-time fee.
- H1-B visa holders outside the U.S. will not be charged an increased fee.
- A $100,000 visa fee applies to new talent coming to the United States.
Impact of $100,000 H1B Visa Fees:
The news of the new $100,000 H1B visa fees spread quickly. Due to miscommunication between administration and the earlier responses, H1B visa holders are in a panic.
The BBC reported how one H-1B visa holder from India spent $8,000 on flights to come back to the United States before the deadline.
The median salary of an H1B visa holder is around $94,000. New talent will not be able to pay high H1B visa fees. The employers will not risk spending too much to hire skilled professionals from abroad.
H1B Visa Alternatives:
Amid the H1B visa fee hike, it is getting difficult for employers to pay too much fee to hire new talent. It creates a decline in H1B visas.
While the H1B visa is getting difficult, there are other alternatives that employers and new talent can choose to get a work visa.
Here are the best alternatives to H1B:
- L-1 and O-1 are the visa categories for individuals to transfer between companies. Companies can transfer their employees on these visas from one country to another.
- The O-1 visa cost is $12,000. The L-1 visa cost $7,000. These are way cheaper than H1B visas.
L-1 Visa:
The L-1 visa is an alternative to the costly H-1B visa.
- Purpose: Only multinational companies can transfer their employees to the United States on L-1 visas.
- Eligibility: Employees working in multinational companies on foreign soil in executive, manager, or specialized positions can get an L-1 visa.
Benefits of L-1 Visa:
- No annual fee.
- Transfer between companies. No need to look for new jobs.
- Companies can open offices in the United States.
O-1 Visa:
The O-1 visa is another alternative to the H1B visa. Skilled individuals can use this visa to visit the United States.
- Purpose: O-1 is allowed for individuals with exceptional talent and achievements.
- Eligibility: Individuals with exceptional skills in business, marketing, science, arts, athletics, and education can apply for an O-1 visa.
Benefits of O-1:
- No limit on O-1 visas.
- Share details of achievements and recognition.
- Best for business owners and entrepreneurs of established companies.
Future of H-1B Visa:
The U.S. government has eased H1B visa requirements after corporate panic.
Earlier it was declared that the H1B visa fee would be a renewal visa fee. Now the White House announced that it is a one-time fee.
Also, existing H1B visa holders need not pay the new fee. It only applies to the new talent.
$100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Impact on Digital Marketing:
The U.S. is full of migrant workers and skilled professionals. The digital marketing industry has thousands of marketers from other countries working in the U.S. on H1B visas. The new visa rules can create challenges for them.
Also, the $100,000 H1B visa fee on new hiring will cause a significant drop in talent acquisition from other countries.
Digital marketers move to countries like the U.K., Canada, Australia, Germany, and other European countries. The reason behind this is the lower visa fees and easier citizenship rules than the United States.
The drop in digital marketing professionals also promotes business process outsourcing.
Conclusion:
Donald Trump’s $100,000 H1B Visa Executive Order will put a limit on new visa applications. It is difficult for small- to mid-sized businesses to afford such a huge fee. It will also decrease the number of H1B visa holders from India and China.
On the other hand, the new H1B visa fees will stop new talent from coming to the U.S. The government predicts that the new policy will help Americans get more jobs.
It is yet too early to reach the conclusion of a $100,000 H1B visa fee, as the government is getting scrutiny over huge fees. It is possible the White House will make some changes to make it less vulnerable for workers and businesses.
Stay tuned to know more.
FAQs:
What was the cost of an H-1B visa before?
Before September 19, 2025, the cost of an H-1B visa was $1,500.
What is $100,000 H-1B fee?
100k H-1B visa fees introduced on September 19, 2025. It applies to the new talent.
When was the H1 visa introduced?
H1B was introduced in 1990.
What is the renewal fee for an H-1B visa?
Earlier the U.S. government reported that $100,000 is the annual fee. Now Trump explained that it is a one-time fee.
What was the H-1B denial rate during Trump?
Up to 20%.
Who pays for H-1B fees?
Employers pay H-1B fees.
What is the minimum salary for an H-1B visa?
$60,000 is the minimum salary.
What is the executive order?
An executive order is a directive issued by the head of state.
What is American Gold Card Golden Visa Scheme?
People can pay $1 million to buy a "Gold Card." It provides immediate U.S. permanent residency.
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