SynopsisA United States judge has ruled a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas unlawful. President Donald Trump had announced this fee in September. The ruling came after a lawsuit filed by 20 Democratic state attorneys general. This fee significantly increased the cost of obtaining H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers. The judge ordered the fee to be invalidated.iStockA United States judge on Monday declared a $100,000 fee that US President Donald Trump had imposed on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers is unlawful and must be invalidated, according to Reuters.US District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston issued the ruling in a lawsuit filed by 20 Democratic state attorneys general challenging a fee Trump had announced in September that dramatically raised the cost of obtaining H-1B visas.This comes days after Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin told a Senate panel that more than 200,000 applicants seeking H-1B visas to work in the US paid $100,000 for expedited processing during fiscal year 2026.The H-1B visa being one of the most sought-after US work visas, gives American companies access to skilled global talent while offering foreign professionals a path to work in the country. Trump’s order proposing a $100,000 annual fee per H-1B worker left many uncertain about visa reforms and new requirements.Trump’s executive order proposed a significant $100,000 annual fee per H-1B visa. The administration indicated that this fee will apply to all H-1B positions regardless of salary level or skill requirement, and will be collected alongside existing vetting procedures.On June 3, Mullin said the DHS has the authority to waive a new $100,000 H-1B visa fee in certain cases, offering potential relief to employers facing high recruitment costs. He also expressed support for streamlining the return process for some seasonal foreign workers under the H-2B visa programme. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)...moreElevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea.Subscribe Now
Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee is unlawful, US judge rules - The Economic Times
A United States judge has ruled a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas unlawful. President Donald Trump had announced this fee in September. The ruling came after a lawsuit filed by 20 Democratic state attorneys general. This fee significantly increased the cost of obtaining H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers. The judge ordered the fee to be invalidated.
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