US President Donald Trump is preparing to introduce a hefty $100,000 application fee for H-1B worker visas as part of his stricter immigration agenda, according to a White House official. The proclamation, which could be signed as early as Friday, would block entry under the H-1B program unless the fee is paid, Bloomberg reported. In addition, Trump plans to adjust prevailing wage rules for H-1B workers a move aimed at reducing reliance on the visa program.
The H-1B program plays a vital role for major tech and staffing companies that depend on foreign talent to fill critical technical positions. In 2025, Amazon received approval for over 10,000 H-1B visas, while Microsoft and Meta each secured more than 5,000, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The announcement has already triggered market reactions. Shares of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp, which heavily depends on H-1B visa holders, dropped more than 5% on Friday.
The H-1B visa program is only available to workers in specialised occupations, which are often in the technology sector. They may consist of tech program managers, software engineers, and other IT specialists. Approved H-1B visas are valid for three to six years.
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