Trump extends $100,000 H-1B visa fee for year
SingTao · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
US President Donald Trump has extended by one year an executive order first issued in September last year that imposes a $100,000 fee on H-1B non-immigrant visas. The White House said the charge led to a 92% drop in H-1B applications and helped reduce reliance on lower-cost foreign labour. The measure does not apply to foreign nationals already in the United States on student visas or to renewals of existing visas. The policy remains tied up in court after a federal judge in Massachusetts blocked the fee in June and the administration appealed.
Key Points
- The White House announced the extension on September 19, after the original September order from last year was due to expire this month
- Under the H-1B programme, US employers can hire foreign skilled workers for several years in technology and other professional sectors
- Trump has criticised the H-1B system and wants to make the fee increase from about $2,000-$5,000 to at least $100,000 permanent
- Business groups and companies say the programme helps recruit highly skilled professionals where some industries lack qualified US workers
- A separate appeals court is also considering whether a judge was right to reject a challenge brought by the US Chamber of Commerce
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers considering study-to-work pathways in the United States, the exemption for current student-visa holders contrasts with the much higher cost facing employers seeking new H-1B hires. The court fights and sharp fall in applications also suggest continued uncertainty for companies and professionals planning US recruitment or relocation.