Trump proposes $103,265 H-1B fee for highly skilled foreign workers

Last updated: August 25, 2026 3:46 am

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The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a $103,265 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers, seeking to make permanent a charge that was temporarily introduced last year but subsequently blocked by a federal court.

The proposed fee was disclosed on Monday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a regulation posted in the Federal Register.

The proposal opens a 30-day public comment period and could be finalised by the end of 2026.

The move would significantly increase the cost of the H-1B programme, which is widely used by U.S. technology companies, universities, research institutions and other employers to recruit foreign professionals for specialised roles.

What they are saying

The H-1B programme allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring specialised knowledge and, typically, a relevant degree or equivalent qualifications. The programme is capped at 65,000 visas annually, with an additional 20,000 reserved for foreign workers with qualifying advanced degrees from U.S. institutions. Visas are generally approved for periods of three to six years.

Before Trump’s $100,000 charge was introduced, H-1B-related fees typically ranged from about $2,000 to $5,000, depending on the application and employer.
Trump and other critics had long argued that the H-1B program is used by some US firm to suppress wages and deny U.S citizens who are qualified for such jobs.
Hence, it is not Trump’s first attempt to impose a $100,000-plus charge on H-1B workers.

In September 2025, Trump introduced the $100,000 fee through a presidential proclamation, arguing that the measure would help restrict the entry of foreign workers whose employment could be detrimental to U.S. interests.