President Donald Trump has signed an executive order introducing a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, sharply increasing costs for companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and IBM that rely on the program to hire foreign talent.
The administration says the fee will ensure only “truly extraordinary” workers are hired while protecting U.S. jobs. But critics, including Stuart Anderson of the National Foundation for American Policy, warn it could push companies to move jobs abroad and discourage international students from U.S. universities.
H-1B visas, awarded by lottery, require a degree and a U.S. job offer. Amazon was the largest recipient in 2024 with over 10,000 visas. Trump has also ordered the Labor Department to revise wage rules for the program.
