WASHINGTON, USA: In a sweeping move that has sent shockwaves through the global tech industry, President Donald Trump has imposed a staggering $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa sponsorships. The decision, announced through a presidential proclamation, is being framed by the administration as a step to safeguard American jobs and curb misuse of the visa programme.
The H-1B visa, long considered a lifeline for foreign professionals in the U.S. tech, finance, and research sectors, will now come with a price tag that many argue could prove crippling for small businesses and startups. Under the new regulation, companies must pay the hefty fee every year for each sponsored worker, or risk denial of their visa applications.
While the White House insists the measure is designed to prevent wage suppression and protect American workers, industry leaders warn it could have the opposite effect by driving top global talent away from the United States. Analysts fear that countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia may benefit as skilled professionals turn to more welcoming destinations.
Critics have also questioned the legality of the move, arguing that such a massive increase in fees requires congressional approval. Already, legal experts and immigrant rights groups are preparing challenges, calling the proclamation “an assault on America’s innovation pipeline.”
Major corporations, particularly in the technology and banking sectors, are scrambling to assess the impact. Reports suggest JPMorgan has advised its H-1B employees abroad to return to the U.S. immediately to avoid complications under the new rules. Smaller companies, however, may not have the resources to absorb the additional cost, raising concerns about a potential brain drain and stifling of entrepreneurial ventures.
The policy marks one of the most dramatic shifts in U.S. immigration in recent years and could redefine the future of foreign employment in America’s high-skilled job market.
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