Trump Administration Proposes New Fee for H-1B Visa Applications

The Trump administration announced a proposal on August 24, 2026, to implement a fee exceeding $100,000 for cap-subject H-1B visa petitions for foreign workers. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a fee of $103,265 for each H-1B petition, which includes those eligible for the advanced-degree exemption. This fee aims to cover the costs of administering the legal immigration system, as stated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesperson Zach Kahler. The fee was initially imposed by presidential proclamation last year but has been blocked by a federal court. An appeals court is currently reviewing this decision. The proposed rule is set to be published in the Federal Register and could be finalized by the end of the year. The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, with 65,000 visas available annually under the regular cap and an additional 20,000 for workers with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions. The proposal has faced challenges from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and various labor unions and employers.