Introduction
The H-1B visa is one of the most talked-about U.S. work visas, especially among skilled professionals from countries like India. For decades, it has been the gateway for engineers, IT experts, doctors, and scientists to work in America’s top companies. But in 2024 and 2025, the cost structure and rules surrounding the H-1B have gone through big changes, particularly due to new policies introduced under Donald Trump’s administration. In this blog, we’ll break down What is H-1B Visa, how much it costs in 2024, what Trump’s new $100,000 fee means, and what the current situation looks like for both workers and employers.
What is the H-1B Visa?
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant work visa that allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. A specialty occupation usually requires highly specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
- Who can apply? Workers in fields like information technology, engineering, science, mathematics, finance, medicine, and architecture are typical applicants.
- How long does it last? The initial H-1B visa is granted for three years and can be extended up to six years in most cases.
- What about dependents? Spouses and children under 21 can accompany the worker on H-4 dependent visas. Spouses may or may not get work authorization depending on their case.
- Why is there a lottery? Each fiscal year, the U.S. government puts a cap on the number of H-1B visas issued. Since applications usually exceed this limit, USCIS runs a lottery system to select who gets a chance to apply.
The H-1B program has always been popular among tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and also smaller firms that depend on global talent.
H-1B Visa Fees in 2024
In 2024, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) revised several fee structures. Applying for an H-1B visa was already an expensive process, and the 2024 updates made it costlier. Here are the key components explained in simple words:
- Electronic Registration Fee – To enter the H-1B lottery, the employer has to pay around $215 for each applicant.
- Basic Petition Filing Fee – The core application (Form I-129) costs about $780. This is mandatory for almost every petition.
- ACWIA Training Fee – Employers with 25 or fewer employees need to pay around $750, while larger companies pay $1,500.
- Fraud Prevention Fee – Around $500 to ensure transparency and prevent misuse.
- Additional Fee for Large Employers – If a company has more than 50 employees and over half of them are already on H-1B or L visas, they must pay an extra $4,000.
- Visa Application Fee (Consular Stage) – When the worker applies for the visa at a U.S. embassy, the fee is around $205.
- Premium Processing (Optional) – For faster processing, employers or applicants can pay $2,805.
When all of these are combined, the total can already reach thousands of dollars. Importantly, U.S. law requires that employers cover most of these costs, not the employees.
Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Fee – A Game Changer
In 2025, Donald Trump introduced one of the most dramatic changes in H-1B history. He signed an order imposing a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visa applications. This includes new applications as well as renewals.
This fee is set to take effect from September 21, 2025 and will remain in place for at least 12 months, though it could be extended further.
Why was this fee introduced?
- To protect U.S. jobs – Trump has argued that many companies use H-1B workers to fill roles that could be given to American workers. The high fee is intended to make companies think twice before sponsoring foreign workers.
- To raise wages – By increasing the cost of sponsorship, the idea is that companies will either pay higher wages to local workers or prove that hiring a foreign professional is worth the high expense.
- To reduce dependence on H-1B visas – Many tech companies heavily rely on foreign workers, especially from India. This policy aims to reduce that reliance.
Challenges and Concerns
The $100,000 fee has raised huge concerns among businesses, universities, and immigrant communities. Small companies and startups may not be able to afford it, while larger corporations may restrict sponsorships. Legal experts also expect lawsuits challenging whether such a sudden fee hike is legally enforceable.
Another big question is whether this $100,000 fee will replace existing fees or will be added on top of them. If it’s in addition, the cost of a single H-1B application could exceed $105,000 – a shocking increase compared to the earlier structure.
Current Status of H-1B Visa Fees
As of late 2025, the situation is a mix of old rules and Trump’s new changes. Here’s what it looks like:
- For the lottery in early 2025, the standard fees from 2024 still applied.
- From September 21, 2025, the $100,000 annual fee is scheduled to be implemented. This has created uncertainty, as many employers are unsure if they should continue sponsoring workers.
- Large companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft can still afford the higher fees, but mid-sized and smaller companies may withdraw from the process.
- Workers, especially from India and China, who form the majority of H-1B applicants, are worried about whether opportunities will shrink drastically.
Impact on Indian Tech Workers
For Indian professionals, the H-1B has always been the most popular way to work in the U.S. Every year, nearly 70% of H-1B visas go to Indian nationals, especially software engineers. With Trump’s new fee, Indian IT service companies like TCS, Infosys, and Wipro may find it financially unsustainable to send workers to the U.S. in large numbers.
This could push many Indian tech workers to explore alternative countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia, where immigration policies are seen as more worker-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do employees have to pay the $100,000 fee?
No. By law, employers are supposed to bear most of the H-1B costs. But practically, the burden might discourage employers from sponsoring new workers.
2. Does this affect existing H-1B visa holders?
People already holding valid visas are not affected immediately. But when their renewal comes up, the new fee could apply.
3. Are universities and non-profits included?
The proclamation is not clear yet. In the past, universities and non-profits enjoyed exemptions from some fees. Whether they get relief this time is still uncertain.
4. Could this be overturned?
Yes. The fee could be challenged in court, or a future administration could roll it back. For now, it is officially scheduled to apply.
Conclusion
The H-1B visa has been the backbone of America’s global talent strategy for years, especially in the technology sector. In 2024, the costs were already high, but Trump’s new $100,000 fee marks an unprecedented jump that could change the future of skilled immigration in the U.S.
For workers, especially from India, the dream of working in the United States may become much harder to achieve. For employers, the decision to sponsor foreign workers now comes with a heavy price tag. As we move into 2026, it remains to be seen whether these policies will hold or be challenged, but one thing is clear: the H-1B landscape has changed forever.