Donald Trump's H-1B visa fee hike: What is the change and why it sparked debate across social media

The H-1B visa programme, long seen as the main pathway for highly skilled foreign workers, especially Indian professionals, took a dramatic turn on September 19, 2025. The US administration announced that the annual visa fee would jump to USD 100,000, a move positioned as a way to prioritise top-tier, high-salary roles.For Indian IT workers, who make up the majority of H-1B recipients, this change could reshape career opportunities, particularly for younger professionals, and alter how outsourcing firms manage their US workforce.

What is the H-1B visa?

The H-1B programme, created under the Immigration Act of 1990, allows American companies to hire foreign professionals for roles requiring specialised skills and at least a bachelor’s degree. It was designed to help employers fill gaps when qualified US workers were not available.The visa is typically granted for three years, extendable to six, and applicants must be sponsored by a US employer. Every year, 65,000 visas are available, with an extra 20,000 reserved for US advanced degree holders. Because demand far outstrips supply, visas are usually allocated by lottery.Indian nationals dominate the programme, securing more than 70% of approvals annually since 2015. Chinese professionals are the second-largest group, accounting for about 11%.

Understanding the changes

Until now, employers paid a mix of fees that added up to several thousand dollars per worker. These included a USD 215 registration fee, a filing fee ranging from USD 460–780 depending on company size, training fees up to USD 1,500, a fraud-prevention charge of USD 500, and optional premium processing at USD 2,805. Larger companies could also face a USD 4,000 surcharge under certain laws, along with asylum programme fees of up to USD 600.The latest policy, signed by President Trump on September 19, introduces a dramatic change. Beginning September 21, 2025, any H-1B worker attempting to enter the US will be denied entry unless their employer has paid the new USD 100,000 annual fee. This requirement covers new visa applications, pending petitions, and even cases already approved but not yet in effect.

Social media reactions

One user wrote: "It's about time we had a president that stood up for the citizens of this country"Another user added: "Hopefully this law is actually enforced in spirit as well."However, a critic warned: "This move risks harming US innovation and competitiveness by driving away skilled foreign workers."And a fourth user asked the practical question many people are now asking: "How will you suddenly fill the gap of highly skilled techies?"