Archive · 25 Aug 2026
JD Vance backs proposed $103,265 H-1B fee hike
The US government wants to make some H-1B work visas much more expensive.
These visas help US companies hire skilled workers from other countries.
A proposed new fee would cost $103,265 for each covered application.
The fee would be added to the charges that already exist.
It would apply to visas counted under the yearly limit, including some applicants with advanced degrees from US schools.
Some universities and research organizations would not have to pay it.
JD Vance said companies should hire and train American workers when possible.
The government says the money would help cover the costs of running the immigration system, but the proposal could face scrutiny from companies, immigration groups and courts.
Vice President JD Vance endorsed a proposed $103,265 fee on cap-subject H-1B petitions.
The fee would be paid when petitions are filed, in addition to existing charges.
The Department of Homeland Security estimates the measure could generate about $8.8 billion annually.
The charge would cover roughly 85,000 annual cap-subject petitions, including the advanced-degree exemption.
Certain cap-exempt petitions filed by universities and nonprofit or government research organizations would not be charged.
- Who
- Vice President JD Vance, the Trump administration and the Department of Homeland Security proposed and supported the fee.
- What
- A $103,265 additional fee for H-1B petitions subject to the annual cap.
- When
- The proposal was described in a Department of Homeland Security filing on Monday; the articles do not give a calendar date.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- The administration says companies should prioritize hiring and training American workers, while the Department of Homeland Security says the fee would help recover government immigration-system costs.
- Proposed fee
- $103,265 for each covered H-1B petition, on top of existing fees.
- Payment timing
- The fee would be payable when an H-1B petition is filed.
- Annual cap
- The H-1B cap covers 85,000 new visas: 65,000 regular-cap visas and 20,000 for applicants with qualifying advanced degrees from US institutions.
- Estimated revenue
- The Department of Homeland Security estimates approximately $8.8 billion annually.
- Government rationale
- DHS says the fee would recover part of the costs of administering the lawful immigration system across several federal agencies.
- Exemptions
- Certain cap-exempt petitions filed by higher education institutions and nonprofit or government research organizations would not be subject to the fee.
- Public comments
- The DHS filing gives the public 30 days to submit comments.
