Changes to the H-1B Visa

Nov. 14, 2025 | Changes to the H-1B Visa | Article by Tess Latham

What Is an H-1B Visa?

The H-1B visa is a U.S. work visa for specialized, highly skilled non-immigrant workers. To qualify, a worker must have at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in a specific field and be hired to work in that field.
This program allows U.S. employers to bring in foreign talent for jobs that require technical or professional expertise.

What Changed?

On September 19, 2025, the Trump Administration announced a major policy shift:
a new $100,000 fee would be required to obtain an H-1B visa.

Why Was This Change Made?

According to the White House, the purpose of the additional fee is to:

• Balance foreign and U.S.-born workers in specialized industries

• Address concerns that foreign skilled workers may reduce job opportunities for U.S. citizens

• Reduce the number of H-1B visas by making them harder and more expensive to obtain

In short, the Administration argued that the fee would discourage overreliance on foreign labor and encourage hiring American workers.