Trump Administration Implements Changes To H-1B Visa Program, Raising Fees And Eligibility Standards

The Trump administration has revised the H-1B visa program, increasing application fees to USD 100,000. The new regulations aim to favour highly skilled foreign workers, ensuring they cannot be easily replaced by American labour.

Washington: The Trump administration has announced a new set of rules for the H-1B visa program, introducing tougher eligibility requirements and sharply raising the application fee to $100,000. The administration says the changes are designed to ensure that only highly skilled foreign professionals, who cannot be substituted by American workers, are granted visas.

According to a notice published in the Federal Register, the revised selection process will shift focus to favour workers with higher levels of skill and pay. Reuters reported that the modified lottery system will now prioritise better-paid candidates, aligning with President Trump’s pledge to protect American jobs.

Government officials are also considering additional reforms, including raising the minimum wage eligibility threshold for foreign applicants. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently issued an advisory outlining these potential adjustments.

Last week, Trump signed a proclamation restricting the entry of H-1B visa holders, while simultaneously increasing fees to unprecedented levels. The White House maintains that these steps are part of a broader immigration overhaul intended to reduce reliance on overseas workers and support domestic hiring.

The policy shift has raised concerns among US technology firms and Indian IT companies, who have been the largest users of H-1B visas. Analysts warn that the massive fee hikes and stricter rules could reduce opportunities for mid-level professionals, while limiting the pipeline of skilled foreign talent.