Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Trump Extends $100,000 H-1B Fee, Tightens Visa Scrutiny
The H-1B program lets US companies temporarily hire people from other countries for highly specialized jobs.
President Donald Trump extended a $100,000 fee that employers must pay for certain new H-1B workers.
The fee will continue for one more year after being introduced in 2025.
The White House says registrations by large IT outsourcing companies dropped by 92% after the fee began.
The fee does not apply to some students already in the United States or to renewals of existing H-1B visas.
Another order tells government agencies to look more closely at applications from companies that recently laid off similar American workers.
The Labor Department must review earlier employer paperwork to decide whether further action is needed.
The administration says the changes protect American workers and national security.
Businesses and supporters say the program helps companies find skilled workers, while critics say some employers use it to replace Americans with lower-paid foreign workers.
President Donald Trump extended the $100,000 employer fee for H-1B workers for another year.
The White House said registrations by large IT outsourcing firms fell 92% after the fee was introduced in 2025.
A separate proclamation requires agencies to consider sponsoring employers’ recent or planned layoffs of similar US workers.
The Labor Department has 30 days to begin reviewing previously submitted labor condition applications for possible enforcement action.
The fee faces federal court challenges, while businesses say H-1B visas help address shortages of skilled professionals.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, H-1B sponsoring employers, federal agencies, foreign workers, US workers, business groups and legal challengers are involved.
- What
- Trump extended the $100,000 fee on certain H-1B workers and ordered tighter application scrutiny and employer reviews.
- When
- The extension was announced in a presidential proclamation issued Friday, September 19, 2026; the original fee was introduced in September 2025 and was due to expire this month.
- Where
- The measures apply in the United States and are being challenged in US federal courts.
- Why
- The administration says the measures protect economic and national security, improve opportunities for American workers and prevent abuse of the H-1B program.
Administration and Critics
Businesses and Supporters
Impact on American workers
Administration and Critics
The administration says certain employers, third-party placement groups and outsourcing firms use H-1B visas to undercut or displace skilled US workers.
Businesses and Supporters
Business groups and companies say H-1B hiring helps them recruit highly skilled professionals and address shortages of qualified workers.
Value and legality of the fee
Administration and Critics
The administration says the fee protects economic and national security and encourages employers to seek only highly skilled and essential foreign workers.
Businesses and Supporters
Businesses have criticized the fee, and legal challengers argue that the administration lacks legal authority to impose it; the measure is being contested in federal courts.
Effect on technology hiring
Administration and Critics
The administration says tighter scrutiny will improve program integrity and reduce the risk of American workers being laid off.
Businesses and Supporters
Companies that depend on H-1B visas face additional scrutiny, and some major users, including Alphabet, have moved to increase operations in India.
- Fee
- $100,000 for employers bringing certain foreign workers to the United States under the H-1B program
- Extension
- One additional year
- Reported registration decline
- 92% among large IT outsourcing firms, according to the White House
- Labor Department deadline
- 30 days to begin reviewing previously submitted labor condition applications
- Exemptions
- The fee does not apply to certain foreign nationals already in the United States on student visas or to renewals of existing H-1B visas
- Legal status
- The fee is being challenged in two federal courts; one appeal involves a ruling that found the fee illegal and blocked its collection
- Largest beneficiary group
- Indians are described as the single largest beneficiary group of the H-1B program
Sources
US President Donald Trump extends $1,00,000 H-1B visa fee for another year, orders tighter visa scrutiny
Trump renews $1,00,000 fee on H-1B visas, tightens scrutiny
Trump renews $1,00,000 fee on H-1B visas, tightens scrutiny
Trump renews USD 100,000 fee on H-1B visas, tightens scrutiny
