New Fee for H-1B Visas Hits Tech Industry

September 20, 2025 - 23:29

In a significant policy shift, the U.S. government is set to impose a hefty annual fee of $100,000 for H-1B visa applications, a move that is anticipated to have profound implications for the technology sector. This decision comes at a time when the number of foreign workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields has surged, more than doubling from 2000 to 2019, reaching nearly 2.5 million.

The H-1B visa program has long been a vital pathway for skilled international workers to contribute to the U.S. economy, particularly in tech hubs where there is a high demand for specialized talent. Critics argue that the new fee will deter many companies from hiring foreign workers, potentially leading to a talent shortage in key industries. Proponents of the fee believe it could help fund domestic workforce development initiatives. As the tech landscape evolves, the implications of this policy change will be closely monitored by industry leaders and policymakers alike.