Trump Administration’s New Visa Fee Policy Draws Mixed Response from Tech Industry

A recent policy change announced by the Trump administration has introduced a new $100,000 fee for companies seeking H-1B temporary employment visas for foreign workers. The announcement has prompted a range of reactions across the technology sector, with many companies and industry figures expressing concern about the potential impact on talent acquisition and business costs.
The H-1B visa program is commonly used by technology firms to hire highly skilled workers from abroad, particularly in fields like engineering, software development, and data science. The new fee, which applies per visa, was initially met with confusion due to unclear communication from federal officials. The administration later clarified that the fee would be charged once per visa issuance, not annually, and that it would not affect current H-1B holders, including those outside the country at the time of the announcement.
Executives and investors in the tech sector have warned that the added costs could pose challenges, particularly for startups and smaller firms that may not have the resources to absorb such expenses. They argue that the fee could reduce access to skilled talent and discourage international professionals from pursuing careers in the United States.
Esther Crawford, a technology investor and current product director at Meta, commented that high-skilled immigrants have historically contributed to innovation in the U.S. and that policies restricting their access could hinder competitiveness. Others noted that uncertainty surrounding visa rules could further complicate global hiring strategies.
The announcement also caused disruptions for some international travellers on H-1B visas, who altered travel plans due to the initial lack of clarity. Several professionals expressed concern over the abrupt rollout and the anxiety it caused for foreign workers and their families.
On the other hand, some business leaders supported the policy, arguing that the higher cost could help prioritise visas for roles that deliver the most value. Gary Cohn, Vice Chairman at IBM and a former economic adviser in the Trump administration, described the change as a way to better align immigration with economic goals. Netflix Chairman Reed Hastings shared a similar view, stating that the new fee structure could lead to more certainty for visa holders by limiting their use to high-value positions.
Analysts have noted that the visa fee increase may place additional pressure on the U.S. labor market, which continues to face hiring challenges. While advances in automation and artificial intelligence may reduce some demand for labor, the tech industry remains reliant on access to specialised international talent. Some observers suggested that companies could respond by shifting more operations to countries such as India or Canada, where hiring skilled workers may be more cost-effective under the new policy.