Trump Administration Imposes $100,000 Fee on New H-1B Visas

The tech sector stands as the most exposed to this mandate, with firms like Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple collectively employing tens of thousands of visa-dependent staff. Amazon alone lists approximately 14,000 H-1B employees across its entities, while Tata Consultancy Services maintains a similarly high count. Although the fee applies only to new applicants, the announcement triggered immediate uncertainty. Reports suggest companies such as Microsoft and Amazon issued internal guidance urging workers currently abroad to return to the United States before the midnight deadline.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt moved to temper the panic via social media, confirming the levy excludes renewals and existing visa holders. She further stated that current H-1B staff remain free to travel without risk of reentry denial. Despite these assurances, the policy is widely expected to face immediate legal challenges, leaving the long-term viability of the fee and its impact on the high-tech labor market in flux.