Trump Administration Proposes $100,000 Fee to Restrict Skilled Worker H-1B Visas

The Trump administration announced a new policy imposing a $103,000 fee on H-1B visas, which are granted to skilled foreign workers, primarily in the technology sector. The move aims to protect American workers by discouraging employers from hiring foreign labor at lower wages. This fee increase is expected to generate approximately $8.8 billion annually but has faced criticism from experts who warn it could severely disrupt the U.S. labor market.

The H-1B visa program is highly competitive, with 211,000 applications submitted this year for only 85,000 available visas. Major recipients include companies like Microsoft, Apple, and others in the tech industry. While many Israelis work in the U.S. under different visa categories, hundreds do use the H-1B visa.

This proposal follows a similar attempt by the administration that was struck down by a federal judge in June. The government plans to appeal that decision and is advancing this broader fee policy, which also applies to skilled workers already residing in the U.S. The administration states the fee will make employers "less eager to hire H-1B visa holders over qualified American workers."

Most H-1B visas have historically been issued to workers from India, China, the Philippines, South Korea, and Mexico, according to 2024 government data. The policy reflects the administration's broader effort to prioritize American employment and reduce reliance on foreign skilled labor.