U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a sharp increase in H-1B visa costs, requiring companies to pay an annual $100,000 fee per sponsored visa. The policy, signed on September 19, 2025, is set to impact thousands of foreign workers and the companies that employ them.
The H-1B program, widely used by U.S. tech firms and outsourcing companies, brings in skilled workers from abroad, with Indians and Chinese making up the majority of applicants. Industry experts warn the hike will particularly hurt IT outsourcing firms, early-career applicants, and universities, while pushing companies to consider moving more jobs offshore.
The U.S. caps remain unchanged—65,000 regular visas and 20,000 additional slots for advanced degree holders—but the steep fee increase could reshape the hiring landscape. Critics argue the policy risks slowing innovation and weakening America’s global competitiveness.
For many skilled workers in India, China, and beyond, the dream of working in the U.S. may now come with a price tag too high for many employers to afford.
