President Donald Trump has extended for another year an executive order that requires a $100,000 fee for certain new H-1B non-immigrant visas, according to the White House.
The order, originally issued in September 2025, was scheduled to expire this month. Trump has backed a much larger permanent increase in the H-1B visa cost, seeking to raise the existing fee range of roughly $2,000 to $5,000 to at least $100,000.
What the H-1B Visa Fee Change Means
The H-1B visa programme allows US employers to hire foreign professionals in specialised occupations. The programme has become particularly important for technology companies seeking skilled workers from countries such as India and China.
The administration’s proposed fee increase has drawn legal challenges from business groups and other opponents.
A federal judge in June ruled that the higher fee was illegal and blocked the Trump administration from collecting it. The case is now under review by a Boston-based appeals court.
Separately, another court is considering a challenge brought by the US Chamber of Commerce, the country’s largest business lobbying organisation, after a lower court rejected the group’s case.
Who Is Exempt From the $100,000 Fee?
The increased fee does not apply to all H-1B applicants.
Foreign nationals who are already in the United States on student visas and later move to H-1B status are exempt from the higher charge. This group represents a significant portion of new H-1B recipients.
Existing H-1B visa holders who are renewing their visas are also exempt from the increased fee.
The distinction means the higher charge primarily affects certain new H-1B workers rather than every foreign professional using the programme.
Trump Administration and H-1B Programme
Trump has repeatedly criticised the H-1B system as part of his broader immigration policies.
Supporters of tighter restrictions argue that some employers use the programme to hire foreign workers at lower wages rather than recruiting American employees.
Business groups and companies have taken a different position, arguing that H-1B visas help employers recruit highly skilled professionals and address shortages in specialised fields where qualified US workers may not be readily available.
The debate has become particularly significant for the technology sector, which has historically relied heavily on the programme.
Impact on US Technology Companies
Congress created the H-1B visa programme in 1990, and it has since become an important recruitment route for US companies seeking specialised international talent.
Companies have also faced changes in the scrutiny and processing of H-1B applications, affecting decisions about hiring and expansion.
Some major users of the programme have responded by expanding their operations outside the United States. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has increased its presence in India, where a large pool of technology professionals already works in the global technology industry.
The extension of the executive order keeps the $100,000 H-1B fee issue in place for another year while legal challenges continue to move through the US courts.
