US Hikes H-1B Visa Fee to $100,000: Companies Prioritise Citizens, Leaving Foreign Talent in Limbo
In a dramatic shift for the US tech industry, President Donald Trump’s administration has raised the H-1B visa application fee to $100,000, prompting many companies...
In a dramatic shift for the US tech industry, President Donald Trump’s administration has raised the H-1B visa application fee to $100,000, prompting many companies to advertise technical roles exclusively for US citizens. Positions such as software developers, project managers, process engineers, and UI/UX designers—previously filled largely by foreign professionals—now carry a clear caveat: “Open to US citizens only.”
Industry experts say the hike has made hiring foreign talent financially unviable, particularly for small and mid-sized firms. The change applies to companies seeking new H-1B applicants, a programme heavily utilised by Indian professionals working in America’s technology sector.
Impact on Employers and Workers
Recruiters report a silent but swift pivot toward domestic hiring. Rebeca Pardo, a hiring assistant at a San Francisco tech company, told Deccan Chronicle:
“Our budgets cannot handle a $100,000 fee per hire. We are instructed to prioritise US citizens. It’s not about discrimination—it’s purely the cost. Large corporations may manage a few H-1B hires, but medium and smaller firms cannot.”
For international graduates on Optional Practical Training (OPT), the future has grown uncertain. Rohith Reddy, a Hyderabad native studying in Texas, said:
“I’m in the final year of my OPT. My company considered sponsoring an H-1B earlier, but after the fee hike, they told me outright they cannot hire me.”
Broader Implications
Critics warn that while the fee hike may boost domestic employment, it risks depriving the US tech sector of skilled talent, potentially widening the tech skills gap and slowing innovation. Proponents argue that prioritising citizens could encourage higher local employment, especially in competitive tech hubs.
Analysts believe that smaller companies and startups will be hit hardest, possibly shifting innovation offshore or limiting growth due to reduced access to international talent.