Trump administration plans steep $100,000 fee for H-1B work permits

The administration of US President Donald Trump is planning to impose steep fees on the H-1B visa program, with charges reaching $100,000 for individuals employed in the United States under these regulations. This move follows a court decision that overturned a much lower fee previously imposed on workers hired from abroad.

The new fee, set at $103,265, will apply to all H-1B visa applications subject to the annual cap, including those with master's degrees. According to the proposed rule published on Monday, "these fees will serve as a dedicated revenue mechanism to help cover part of the federal government's costs for administering the legal immigration system," Bloomberg reported.

The Department of Homeland Security's proposal comes after a court struck down President Trump's earlier decision to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B holders hired from outside the US.

The White House order introducing these fees disrupted hiring plans for many employers, but it did not apply to students and others who obtained H-1B visas within the United States.

Reports indicate that the Department of Homeland Security is also considering a $100,000 fee for participation in the Optional Practical Training program, which allows foreign graduates on F-1 visas to work in the US.

The H-1B visa program is capped at 85,000 visas annually, with 20,000 reserved for advanced degree holders. The Department of Homeland Security expects the new fees for capped workers to generate $8.8 billion in annual revenue.

The department stated it had considered raising fees for all immigration applications and petitions, but determined that would unduly burden individuals and petitions not related to US employment.