🚨 BREAKING: Trump has officially signed an executive order imposing a $100K annual fee for H-1B visas.
Why did the US do this? How does this affect the 400,000 immigrants who come to the US each year on H-1B visas? And what’s next?
Here’s the full story:
Why did the US do this? How does this affect the 400,000 immigrants who come to the US each year on H-1B visas? And what’s next?
Here’s the full story:
1/ What’s Actually at Stake
Every year, roughly 442,000 skilled immigrants compete for just 85,000 H-1B visas (65,000 regular + 20,000 master’s cap).
Only about 135,000 total applications are selected, including renewals — meaning most hopefuls are already rejected.
This new $100,000 fee makes it exponentially harder.
Every year, roughly 442,000 skilled immigrants compete for just 85,000 H-1B visas (65,000 regular + 20,000 master’s cap).
Only about 135,000 total applications are selected, including renewals — meaning most hopefuls are already rejected.
This new $100,000 fee makes it exponentially harder.
2/ What Trump Just Signed
The executive order imposes an annual $100,000 fee per H-1B worker, effective September 21, 2025.
The proclamation states that this fee is needed to combat “abuse” and prevent the “large-scale replacement of American workers” with lower-paid foreign talent.
The executive order imposes an annual $100,000 fee per H-1B worker, effective September 21, 2025.
The proclamation states that this fee is needed to combat “abuse” and prevent the “large-scale replacement of American workers” with lower-paid foreign talent.
3/ The Math: From Affordable to Impossible
Current H-1B costs total around $2,000–$4,500 (registration, filing, and legal fees). The new fee increases these costs by 2,000–5,000%.
For context: the median H-1B salary is around $100,000—meaning the fee alone would equal an entire year’s wages for many applicants.
Current H-1B costs total around $2,000–$4,500 (registration, filing, and legal fees). The new fee increases these costs by 2,000–5,000%.
For context: the median H-1B salary is around $100,000—meaning the fee alone would equal an entire year’s wages for many applicants.
4/ The Corporate Divide
Tech giants like Amazon (10,000+ H-1Bs), Microsoft, Meta, and Google might be able to absorb these costs when hiring.
But startups, universities, hospitals, and smaller firms—who collectively employ thousands of H-1B workers—simply cannot afford $100,000 per employee.
Tech giants like Amazon (10,000+ H-1Bs), Microsoft, Meta, and Google might be able to absorb these costs when hiring.
But startups, universities, hospitals, and smaller firms—who collectively employ thousands of H-1B workers—simply cannot afford $100,000 per employee.
5/ Beyond the Fee: Rising Wage Requirements
The order also mandates higher prevailing wage levels for H-1B workers, potentially eliminating any perceived cost advantage of hiring foreign talent.
Combined with the fee increases, this creates a double barrier that could price out many international applicants entirely.
The order also mandates higher prevailing wage levels for H-1B workers, potentially eliminating any perceived cost advantage of hiring foreign talent.
Combined with the fee increases, this creates a double barrier that could price out many international applicants entirely.
6/ The Economic Backstory
Foreign STEM workers doubled from 1.2 million to 2.5 million between 2000 and 2019, while overall STEM jobs grew only 44.5%.
In computer and math fields, foreign workers now make up 26% of the workforce.
Trump’s proclamation argues that this has suppressed American wages and displaced U.S. citizens.
Foreign STEM workers doubled from 1.2 million to 2.5 million between 2000 and 2019, while overall STEM jobs grew only 44.5%.
In computer and math fields, foreign workers now make up 26% of the workforce.
Trump’s proclamation argues that this has suppressed American wages and displaced U.S. citizens.
7/ The Global Talent Pivot
With barriers this high, the world’s top talent may pivot to Canada, the UK, Australia, or EU countries that are aggressively competing for skilled immigrants.
America risks losing its century-long advantage as the premier destination for global innovation talent.
With barriers this high, the world’s top talent may pivot to Canada, the UK, Australia, or EU countries that are aggressively competing for skilled immigrants.
America risks losing its century-long advantage as the premier destination for global innovation talent.
8/ What’s Next?
For hundreds of thousands of skilled immigrants who’ve spent years preparing for American careers—learning English, earning degrees, and gaining experience—this fee effectively ends their pathways to the American dream.
What does this mean for smaller employers, startups, and hopefuls?
What does it mean for U.S. industries that benefit from H-1B employees?
We’ll have to see.
For hundreds of thousands of skilled immigrants who’ve spent years preparing for American careers—learning English, earning degrees, and gaining experience—this fee effectively ends their pathways to the American dream.
What does this mean for smaller employers, startups, and hopefuls?
What does it mean for U.S. industries that benefit from H-1B employees?
We’ll have to see.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
