Trump to Add New $100,000 Fee for H-1B Visas in Latest Crackdown

[Zorro]

Source: Bloomberg

President Donald Trump is expected to sign a proclamation as soon as Friday that would move to extensively overhaul the H-1B visa program, requiring a $100,000 fee for applications in a bid to curb overuse, according to a White House official familiar with the matter.

Trump is set to sign a proclamation Friday, requiring the payment and asserting that abuse of the H-1B pathway has displaced US workers. The proclamation restricts entry under the H-1B program unless accompanied by the payment, added the official, who was granted anonymity to discuss the policy before it was announced.

The move will require a “$100,000 payment to accompany or supplement H-1B petitions for new applications,” according to a fact sheet seen by Bloomberg News. That payment would be in addition to current fees, which are more modest. Fees directly tied to the H-1B visa application currently include a $215 fee to register for the lottery alongside various filing fees.

Trump’s proclamation allows for case-by-case exemptions if in the national interest — opening a potential window for certain companies or industries to seek a workaround from the new fee.

Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-19/trump-to-add-new-100-000-fee-for-h-1b-visas-in-latest-crackdown?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc1ODMxMjg3MSwiZXhwIjoxNzU4OTE3NjcxLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUMlVDTU9HT1lNVFAwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJDNjgyQTUwQzJCRDM0MTFCQTgwQjEwQjZEQjczQzM1MSJ9.ixDE10yVeH6kBpOV0PAahTBS6eSrcW5rJmJvoL5x1lc

[twodogsbarking]

1. Saudis will have enough money. True Trump.

[Mark.b2]

2. I actually don't have a problem with this...

If an employer believes a worker is so specially skilled, then let the employer pay for it. $100k may be too low.

[Bristlecone]

4. I don't either. I work in tech

I have seen many, many people replaced with H1-B visa employees, and it’s not because they have specialized skills or expertise.

[thought crime]

16. H1-B is abused in Tech, but Trump's move is just to put pressure on India for other reasons.

Anyway, it does nothing to stop the labor abuse of using offshore tech workers.

[jls4561]

3. I had to look up H1B visa to see what it covers. Did you know it covers models?

Of course, his will exempt “models”. His definition of a model is a potential p***y grab.

If the “model” can work at his crypto grift, so much the better.

[IbogaProject]

5. "$100,000" Fee but it can be waived

So some amount can be paid up to bring large numbers of these indentured servants, who have to find a new job in like 60 or 90 days if they are fired.

[OC375]

6. $100,000 Per Worker?

I can't really tell... is it $100,000 for each worker desired, or is it $100,000 and apply for however many is desired?

Regardless, the number is too low. The wallets of State Farm, IBM, Amazon and Google spill $100,000 bills on the floor when they are looking for a $10 to pay for coffee. I do actually appreciate thei idea, but it doesn't begin to create much of a barrier at the levels where it's truly being abused.

[moniss]

7. He will use the "exemption" clause for extortion to

fill his pockets. Just like his crypto deals in the Middle East.

[70sEraVet]

8. My thought EXACTLY!

"....allows for case-by-case exemptions if in the national ( meaning Orange Shit-Stain's) interest...."

[thought crime]

17. Yes, another setup for corruption.

[iemanja]

9. The Koreans will love this

That factory in GA will soon be headed to the dust pile.

[Buddyzbuddy]

10. Who should they make the "check" out to?

[North Coast Lawyer]

11. stumbling onto a good idea

Every now and then dumb people manage to come up with a good idea. If there truly aren't any qualified Americans to fill temporary high tech positions then by all means let companies import talent. However, a very high fee ensures that this is a last resort rather an standard operating procedure.

Would be even better if that fee went to fund training for American workers.

[progressoid]

12. " in the national interest"

Like working for Trump's bitcoin business.

[AleksS]

13. I can just imagine what it takes to get a "waiver" though....

just make the check out to CASH

[iemanja]

15. The companies will get the waivers

Last edited Fri Sep 19, 2025, 11:15 PM - Edit history (1)

not the individuals. It will be companies that suck up to Trump.

[dlk]

14. Another day, an other shakedown...

n/t

[live love laugh]

18. Ludicrous.

[fujiyamasan]

19. Fine, I have no real problem with this

But I am always amused when this issue comes up here. Everyone howls about how bad of a program this is, yet the people on the visa are actually here legally. I don’t see any such outrage over any problems caused by illegal immigration and abuse of other visas, asylum claims, or amnesty.

[JT45242]

20. Case by case kickback from the company

Every edict is a nazi scheme or a shake down.

This one is a shakedown.

[RVN VET71]

21. Trum has, of course, provided statistics showing the dangers of loosely granted H-1B visas?

As President, he would never act on a hunch and a whim, right?

jesus christ why isn't he dead? And WHERE ARE THE GODDAM EPSTEIN FILES?

[Dixiegrrrl]

22. I believe visa rule changes have to be approved by Congress n/t