Trump Imposes $100,000 Fee on H-1B Visas, Prompting Scramble Among Big Tech and Foreign Governments

Late on Friday, President Donald Trump announced a new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas, causing immediate concern among major U.S. technology companies and foreign governments. The fee applies only to new applicants in the upcoming lottery cycle, not to renewals or current visa holders, and is a one-time charge, according to a White House official. The announcement threatens to disrupt the program that underpins America’s technology workforce, heavily relied upon by firms in the tech and finance sectors, particularly those employing skilled immigrants from India and China.

The announcement sent shockwaves across major corporations. Amazon advised its H-1B and H-4 visa holders to remain in the U.S., and for those overseas to return before 12:01 a.m. ET on September 21. JPMorgan Chase’s law firm issued a memo asking H-1B employees to stay in the U.S. and avoid international travel until further guidance. Goldman Sachs cautioned H-1B holders to exercise care when traveling internationally based on immigration guidance. Microsoft issued similar advice, warning that overseas travel could jeopardize visa status.

The fee represents the administration’s most aggressive legal immigration restriction to date. Since taking office, Trump has pursued broad measures to curb both illegal and legal immigration, but Friday’s H-1B fee marks the most significant move targeting employment visas specifically. The fee is intended to discourage companies from over-relying on foreign talent and drive down perceived wage pressures, according to White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers. She emphasized that the measure prioritizes American workers while providing certainty to businesses seeking highly skilled employees legitimately.

Amazon employs the highest number of H-1B holders, with over 14,000 as of June, while Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google each employ more than 4,000 H-1B workers, ranking them among the top 10 recipients for fiscal year 2025. CNBC reached out to all top 10 H-1B recipient companies for comment, but the White House did not immediately respond.

The new visa rule also triggered reactions internationally. India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that it is reviewing the visa restrictions and assessing their impact on Indian citizens and industries. The ministry noted that the fee could disrupt families and emphasized the shared interest of India and the U.S. in maintaining competitiveness in innovation. The ministry called on U.S. authorities to mitigate the potential humanitarian consequences of the measure. South Korea’s foreign ministry similarly indicated that it is evaluating the impact on Korean companies and skilled workers.

The announcement illustrates the interconnected nature of global employment and immigration policies. While the policy aims to prioritize domestic workers and discourage system abuses, it has immediate consequences for multinational corporations and their highly skilled international workforce. Employees currently in the U.S. must adjust travel plans, and companies must navigate compliance and risk management strategies. The disruption highlights the dependency of the U.S. tech and finance sectors on foreign talent and the potential ripple effects on innovation, productivity, and global business operations.

In summary, Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee represents a significant tightening of employment-based immigration, impacting thousands of high-skilled workers and prompting urgent responses from top technology firms and foreign governments. The move underscores the tension between protecting domestic labor and maintaining a competitive, innovation-driven economy reliant on international talent. Companies are reassessing travel and staffing strategies, while governments like India and South Korea monitor the situation closely to safeguard their citizens and economic interests. The policy’s humanitarian and economic implications could be far-reaching, affecting families, workforce planning, and international business relations.