A new rule from the Trump administration could make it much harder and more expensive for skilled foreign workers to enter the United States. As of September 19, 2025, companies will need to pay a $100,000 fee if they want to bring in new H-1B visa holders from abroad.
What Is the H-1B Visa?
The H-1B visa is a temporary work visa used by skilled foreign professionals, especially in tech, engineering, and research. It allows them to live and work in the U.S. and can be a first step toward getting a green card. Every year, the U.S. government gives out 65,000 H-1B visas, with 20,000 extra spots for people who have a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. university.
Employers also have to pay various fees (usually over $5,000), and they must offer salaries that are at least equal to what U.S. workers with similar experience would earn.
What Does the New Rule Say?
The new presidential order blocks the entry of most people coming to the U.S. on H-1B visas unless the sponsoring employer pays a $100,000 fee. This applies to new visa applications filed after September 21, 2025.
Right now, there’s no clear process for employers to request an exception to this fee, even if they can prove the hiring is in the national interest. Although the restriction is officially set for 12 months, it may continue as long as Trump is in office.
Who Is Affected?
According to U.S. government announcements:
The new rule only affects new H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025. It does not affect people who already have an H-1B visa, an approved petition, or who filed before the deadline. People currently in the U.S. on an H-1B visa should still be allowed to travel internationally without needing to pay the new fee.
What About Students or Others Changing Visa Status?
The rule does not affect international students (like those on an F-1 visa) who are switching to H-1B status without leaving the U.S. However, if a foreign worker is outside the country and their H-1B petition is filed after the deadline, their employer will need to pay the $100,000 fee for them to enter.
Lack of Clarity and Legal Questions
There is still confusion around how exactly the rule will be applied. One government agency memo says the fee is only for people outside the U.S., but another memo is less clear. Immigration lawyers are advising employers to get legal help before making any decisions.
More detailed instructions about how to pay the fee, or how to apply for a possible exception, are expected soon.
Impact on U.S. Employers
Many employers may respond to this change by hiring talent overseas instead of bringing skilled workers to the U.S. This is the opposite of what the policy intends. Also, some organizations like universities (which are usually exempt from visa limits) might now have to pay this huge fee if they want to hire professors or researchers from abroad.
In total, the new $100,000 fee, on top of existing visa costs, lawyer fees, and required salaries, could make hiring skilled foreign workers nearly impossible for many companies.