US President Donald Trump has extended the executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas by another year. However, due to ongoing legal challenges in court, it remains uncertain whether the new fee will actually be implemented.
In June 2026, a federal court in Massachusetts struck down the $100,000 fee, deeming it an unlawful levy. The US government has appealed the ruling. Meanwhile, business organizations—including the US Chamber of Commerce—are also pursuing legal action to have the fee overturned.
H-1B visas are used to recruit skilled foreign workers for the US technology sector and other industries. A significant portion of these workers come from India and China. Under current regulations, employers typically pay visa fees ranging from approximately $2,000 to $5,000.
The $100,000 fee—introduced in 2025—did not generally apply to foreigners holding student visas in the US. Standard renewals of existing H-1B visas were also exempt from this requirement.
The Trump administration contends that certain companies are replacing American workers by hiring foreign staff at lower wages. Conversely, business organizations argue that the H-1B program is crucial for recruiting highly skilled personnel and addressing shortages in the skilled workforce.
