Trump Extends H-1B Visa Fee Increase Amid Legal Issues

President Donald Trump has extended his executive order to increase the H-1B visa application fee to $100,000 for another year, as confirmed by the White House. This order, initially signed in September 2025, was set to expire in September 2026.

The proposed fee represents a significant increase from the current range of $2,000 to $5,000. A federal judge in Boston ruled in June that the higher fee was illegal, blocking the government from collecting it, and a US appeals court is currently reviewing this decision.

Additionally, another court is examining a challenge dismissed by the US Chamber of Commerce regarding the fee increase. The H-1B program, established by Congress in 1990, allows American employers to hire skilled foreign workers temporarily, primarily utilized by technology firms.

Trump's fee increase does not apply to foreign citizens already in the US on student visas or those renewing existing visas. Critics argue that some companies exploit the program to hire cheaper labor instead of local workers.