Trump administration proposes permanent $103,265 fee for new H-1B visas, targeting Indian workers
The Trump administration has put forward a rule that would make a $103,265 charge permanent for fresh H-1B visas, a dramatic jump from the usual $2,000-$5,000 fee and primarily affecting Indian applicants.
A proposed rule by the Department of Homeland Security aims to cement a $103,265 fee for newly issued H-1B visas, converting last year’s temporary surcharge into a lasting requirement. Published in the Federal Register, the regulation excludes foreign nationals on student visas and renewal cases, leaving the majority of Indian applicants—who dominate new H-1B hires—subject to the six-figure expense. A federal judge previously deemed the temporary fee unlawful, and a Boston-based appeals court is now reviewing that ruling while another lawsuit proceeds.
Immigration experts say the fee could cripple entry-level Indian engineers, force firms to favor senior talent, and strain startups lacking the resources to cover the cost. The administration also plans tighter vetting and a wage-weighted lottery that further privileges higher-paid workers. If enacted, the rule could sharply cut H-1B registrations and reshape the U.S. skilled-labor pipeline.
Why it matters
A six-figure H-1B fee could drastically limit Indian tech talent's access to U.S. jobs and reshape hiring practices.
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