Trump Unveils $103,265 H-1B Fee in Push for American Workers

US President Donald Trump has proposed a new fee for H-1B visa applications as part of his Labour Day proclamation. The move aims to incentivise domestic firms to prioritise local employment before seeking personnel abroad.

The proposed fee, which is currently undergoing the standard federal regulatory channels, would be $103,265 for cap-subject H-1B applications, including those qualifying for advanced-degree exemptions. This is higher than previous attempts to institute a fee, such as the $100,000 proposal that was invalidated by a Massachusetts federal judge in June.

In his Labour Day proclamation, Trump stated that 'To ensure we are hiring and training American workers, we are proposing a new fee on H-1B visa petitions that will encourage companies to invest in qualified Americans before looking overseas for labour.' He also highlighted the administration's efforts to promote domestic employment security and industrial production.