GoKawiilDHS moves to make $103,265 H-1B visa fee permanent
The Department of Homeland Security has proposed a rule that would permanently establish a $103,265 fee on certain new H-1B visas, replacing the temporary fee Trump imposed last year that is set to expire in September. Previously such visas cost between $2,000 and $5,000, and the new fee would not apply to renewals or to foreign students already in the U.S. transitioning to H-1B status. The proposal comes even as courts are still weighing legal challenges, including a June ruling that found the original fee illegal.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
A permanent fee of this size would sharply raise the cost of hiring skilled foreign workers, likely pushing smaller companies and startups out of the H-1B market while larger tech firms absorb the expense. The move also sets up a prolonged legal fight, since courts have already questioned the fee's legality, meaning employers face continued uncertainty over hiring plans for foreign talent.
- DHS proposes making the $103,265 H-1B fee permanent, up from prior fees of $2,000-$5,000.
- The rule excludes visa renewals and students already in the U.S. converting to H-1B status.
- Legal challenges are ongoing, with a federal judge previously ruling the fee illegal and appeals courts still reviewing the matter.
Source: news.slashdot.org, 2026-08-24
Published there as: “Trump Admin Moves to Impose More Than $100K Fee For H-1B Worker Visas”
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