President Donald Trump announced a sweeping shake-up of the H-1B visa system on Thursday, unveiling a $100,000 fee for visa applications in a move designed to protect American workers from being displaced by foreign labor.
The H-1B program, intended for “high-skilled” immigrants, has long been criticized for allowing companies to hire foreigners at lower rates than U.S. employees.
Critics have pointed out that visas have been sought for positions far below the program’s original intent, including cashier roles, assistant track coaches, and entry-level accountants. Wake Forest University was among the institutions reportedly seeking foreign workers for several low-level positions.
Currently, H-1B applications cost between $1,700 and $4,500, depending on processing speed.
The proposed $100,000 fee would drastically raise the barrier for entry, while making visa renewals exponentially more difficult for current holders. H-1B visas are issued for an initial period of up to three years and can be extended for a maximum of six years.
Tech companies have been among the primary beneficiaries of the program.
Amazon received the most H-1B visas in 2024, according to U.S. Department of Labor data.
To qualify for a visa, applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and have a job offer from