Trump Administration Proposes $103,265 Fee for H-1B Visas

The Trump administration has proposed a fee of $103,265 for employers hiring skilled foreign workers through the H-1B visa program. This proposal follows a previous attempt that was rejected by the courts last year. The proposed regulation, announced on August 24, 2026, aims to address concerns that H-1B visas disadvantage U.S. workers, citing research indicating that the average salary of H-1B workers is 15% lower than that of native-born workers. The administration argues that the fee would discourage employers from hiring foreign workers over qualified American candidates. Additionally, the fees collected are intended to contribute $3 billion annually to the immigration system, including funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The issue of H-1B visas has been contentious within Trump's coalition, as large businesses often employ many foreign workers, leading to concerns about the rights of native workers.