National security’: Why Trump imposed $100,000 fee per year on H-1B visas; likely major blow to tech
The White House is rushing to ease fears after President Trump’s sudden move to impose a $100,000 yearly fee on H-1B visa applications left tech companies scrambling this weekend.
The new rule, announced Friday, is set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Sunday. The administration says the fee is meant to stop companies from relying too heavily on foreign workers instead of hiring Americans.
But the rollout has been anything but smooth. The surprise announcement created confusion and panic across Silicon Valley and beyond, with companies unsure if the hefty fee would also apply to current H-1B visa holders returning to the U.S.
To be safe, major firms like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft told employees on H-1B visas who were abroad to fly back immediately—before the rule kicked in. Internal memos, reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, urged staff to return Saturday to avoid being locked out or forcing companies to pay massive fees.
The White House has since tried to clarify that the new $100,000 charge won’t apply to workers who already hold valid visas. Still, the uncertainty has shaken businesses that depend on skilled international talent, raising concerns about hiring, retention, and future growth.
For now, companies are bracing for the fallout, waiting to see how the policy will be enforced, and weighing the cost of keeping thousands of foreign-born employees in the U.S. workforce.
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