Trump Extended $100,000 H-1B Visa Surcharge
The president prolonged the steep fee for foreign H-1B visa sponsors through September 2027.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Immigration
Live Poll
Do you support restricting high-skilled foreign worker visas to protect jobs for domestic citizens?
President Donald Trump has extended a mandatory $100,000 surcharge for United States employers sponsoring foreign H-1B visa workers. The fee, which was introduced in September 2025, will now remain active through September 2027.
Why it matters
The administration implemented the costly surcharge to discourage visa abuse and prioritize job opportunities for United States citizens. This policy has led to significant declines in non-immigrant visa issuances across various categories as employers reassess hiring strategies.
Overall non-immigrant visa issuances dropped by one million year-on-year, while H-1B issuances fell 52% in the first five months of fiscal year 2026. Data shows Indian H-1B issuances declined 61.5% and F-1 student visas dropped 44.7% during this period.
The players
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States who signed the proclamation extending the visa surcharge.
The details
The administration mandates that United States employers pay the $100,000 fee per foreign employee to fulfill its stated goal of curbing visa dependency. While most visa categories saw sharp drops, H-2A agricultural visas rose by 9.4% and E-1/E-2 treaty trader and investor issuances increased by 406.
Timeline
The $100,000 H-1B surcharge was first introduced in September 2025.
Fiscal year 2026 visa data covers the period from October 2025 to February 2026.
The public comment window for the Department of Homeland Security policy closed on September 24, 2026.
The extended H-1B surcharge is currently scheduled to expire in September 2027.
Political Context
Opponents and industry groups argue that these high fees and resultant visa declines threaten the United States' competitiveness in global talent markets. Critics emphasize that the policy restricts access to highly skilled workers who have historically bolstered domestic technological and economic growth.
Employers may face significantly higher costs when attempting to hire or retain foreign talent for specialized roles. These policies could also alter the availability of certain international services and student-driven economic activity within the country.
The takeaway
Businesses should account for the continued high cost of H-1B sponsorship when planning their recruitment budgets through 2027. Companies may also consider exploring alternative visa categories, such as H-2A or treaty-based options, that remain exempt from these specific surcharges.
Further reading
For broader trends regarding federal visa policies, visit the Immigration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TechCabal.
Live Poll
Do you support restricting high-skilled foreign worker visas to protect jobs for domestic citizens?
