$100k H-1B Fee Extended as Trump Tackles Program Abuse
US President Donald Trump has extended the $100,000 H-1B visa fee until September 21, 2027. This move is aimed at addressing what the administration describes as abuse of the H-1B program, particularly by IT staffing and outsourcing companies.
The White House said the extension is intended to address issues such as the use of H-1B workers for lower-paid jobs, replacing US workers, and later moving work overseas. The order also directs US agencies to share information on wages, employment, and education while reviewing H-1B petitions and visas.
The administration has introduced a weighted H-1B selection system that gives greater priority to higher-skilled and higher-paid applicants. This may make it more difficult for Indian professionals to obtain H-1B visas, as they currently make up the largest share of beneficiaries.