US extends $100,000 H-1B visa fee executive order

The White House has extended an executive order for another year that imposes a $100,000 fee on certain new H-1B non-immigrant visa applicants. The order, originally introduced in September 2025, was scheduled to expire this month.

President Donald Trump has advocated for a permanent increase in these fees, which currently range between $2,000 and $5,000. The administration’s policy faces significant legal opposition. A Boston-based appeals court is currently reviewing a June decision by a federal judge who ruled the higher fee illegal and blocked its collection. Additionally, another court is weighing a challenge brought by the US Chamber of Commerce.

The H-1B program, established in 1990, allows US employers to hire skilled foreign professionals, particularly in the technology sector. While critics argue the program is used to secure lower-paid foreign labor, business groups maintain it is essential for addressing shortages of qualified domestic workers. The $100,000 fee does not apply to current visa renewals or to foreign nationals already in the US on student visas who transition to H-1B status.