Trump Administration Reintroduces H-1B Visa Fee at Record Cost of $103,265

President Donald Trump’s administration has put forward for public consultation a new $103,265 fee for H-1B visas, several months after a federal court struck down the previous $100,000 fee proposed by the U.S. government.

The document, published on Monday, states that the fee would be used to cover the costs of the immigration system. The administration also says the measure is intended to encourage U.S. companies to hire more domestic workers and offer higher wages.

The proposal has not yet been finalized. For a 30-day period, the public may submit comments, while approval of the regulation could take several months. Meanwhile, the measure could once again face challenges in court.

The H-1B program allows foreign professionals to work in the United States in fields requiring specialized skills. To apply, candidates must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification. The visa is granted for three years and can be extended for another three years.

Each year, the United States issues 65,000 H-1B visas. In addition to this number, 20,000 visas are awarded to individuals who have completed advanced degrees at U.S. universities.

Supporters of the scheme say that highly qualified foreign professionals enable U.S. companies to maintain their competitive position and expand their operations, which could also create new jobs. The Trump administration, however, views the program as excessive and argues that it could reduce employment opportunities for Americans.

Vice President JD Vance has voiced support for the proposal, saying that companies in the United States should increase investment in hiring and professional training for domestic workers.

The administration’s first step toward significantly raising the cost of H-1B visas was taken in September 2025. At that time, Trump signed an executive order imposing the $100,000 fee, while the previous charge had been about $3,000.

In June, federal judge Leo Sorokin struck down the $100,000 fee, reasoning that the president did not have the authority to impose it. According to his ruling, such changes to federal immigration policy fall under the authority of Congress, not the president. Sorokin concluded that the administration lacked delegated authority to impose such a fee on H-1B visa applications.