US extends $100,000 H-1B visa fee for another year

WASHINGTON: The United States has extended a controversial $100,000 payment requirement for certain new H-1B visa applicants, keeping the measure in place for another year as the Trump administration continues its efforts to tighten the skilled-worker visa programme.

Under a proclamation issued on September 18, the restriction will remain in effect until September 21, 2027. The requirement applies primarily to H-1B workers who are outside the United States and whose employers seek to bring them into the country. Certain national-interest exemptions are available.

The H-1B programme allows US employers to hire foreign workers for specialised occupations, including jobs in technology and other highly skilled fields. The administration says the programme has been abused by some employers and outsourcing firms, including through the use of lower-paid foreign labour.

The White House has also ordered increased scrutiny of H-1B petitions, particularly when employers have recently laid off or plan to lay off US workers in comparable positions. Officials have been directed to consider additional information on wages, employment conditions and occupational specialisation when reviewing applications.

The $100,000 requirement was first introduced in September 2025 and was originally presented as a temporary measure. The latest proclamation extends it for another 12 months. The White House says more than 700 petitions had been accompanied by the payment since the original policy took effect.

The policy has faced legal challenges. A federal judge previously blocked the fee, while an appeal is being considered by a Boston-based federal appeals court, according to Reuters. Business groups and other challengers have questioned the administration’s authority to impose such a large charge.

The H-1B system is particularly significant for the US technology sector and has long been an important route for skilled professionals from countries including India and China.

The extension means companies planning to recruit eligible workers from overseas will continue to face the substantial additional cost, potentially affecting hiring decisions and workforce planning.