Recent proposals from the US administration indicate a sharp rise in H-1B visa fees, which could challenge employers, especially in tech and consulting roles that depend on these visas. Legal challenges are underway regarding the legitimacy of these increased fees. The stricter vetting processes are complicating recruitment and expansion efforts, leading to a noticeable decrease in the number of H-1B visa applications.

About 70 employers have paid the $100,000 fee on a total of 85 visa applications as of late February, according to court filings.

The Trump administration is proposing a $103,265 fee for H-1B petitions for workers hired within the US, adding a major cost for employers seeking skilled foreign professionals,…

The proposal argues that H-1B visas improperly disadvantage U.S. workers, citing a paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research.