U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to introduce a new $100,000 application fee for H-1B worker visas, according to a White House official. The move is aimed at sharply reducing the use of the program as part of his broader immigration restrictions.
Trump is expected to sign a proclamation as early as Friday that would bar entry under the H-1B program unless the hefty fee is paid. He also plans to order changes to prevailing wage levels for H-1B positions, which could further discourage companies from relying on foreign workers.
The H-1B visa program has long been a cornerstone for major technology and staffing firms that depend on highly skilled foreign workers to fill technical roles. In 2025, Amazon secured more than 10,000 H-1B approvals, while Microsoft and Meta Platforms each received over 5,000, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The news sent shockwaves through markets: shares of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp, an IT services giant that employs thousands of H-1B holders, dropped more than 5% on Friday.
Supporters of the crackdown argue that H-1B workers allow companies to suppress wages and bypass qualified American job seekers. Meanwhile, critics of Trump’s move warn it could disrupt the U.S. technology sector, which heavily relies on global talent.
India remains the largest source of H-1B recipients, accounting for 71% of approvals last year, while China ranked second with 11.7%, government data shows.
The program is reserved for workers in specialty occupations, particularly in technology, including software engineers, program managers, and IT professionals. H-1B visas are typically granted for three to six years.
