Trumpâs $100K Fee Makes Techâs H-1B Lottery Look Like Monopoly
Starting Sunday, any new H-1B visa applicant needs to cough up a fresh $100,000 feeâbecause apparently, just playing in Silicon Valleyâs tech sandbox wasnât pricey enough. Signed into law late Friday by President Trump in a pace that screams last-minute panic-shopping, this fee threatens to slap Microsoft, Amazon, and Cognizant with a combined billion-dollar headache annually. Cue chaos Friday night as some tech firms frantically told H-1B holders abroad to race back to the U.S. before midnightâlegal advise courtesy of immigration lawyer Douglas Russoâs LinkedIn panic post. Never fear, a White House official clarified the fee applies only to newbies in the upcoming lottery cycle, sparing existing holders from immediate financial hostage-taking. Meanwhile, Steve Bannon barks about protecting American jobs, while Silicon Valleyâs crew says get the worldâs best geeks in here already. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers admitted itâs about 'discouraging companies from spamming the system,' which sounds like bad dating advice for employers and immigrants alike. Traveling H-1Bs, still buckle up; post-Sunday trips remain a legal mystery.
Share the Story
Trumpâs new $100K visa toll turns H-1B holders into high-priced lottery contestantsâbecause nothing says 'American workers first' like making tech giants fork over a billion dollars yearly and causing globe-trotting visa holders to pack their U-Hauls ASAP.
Nothing screams efficiency like a $100,000 visa fee slapped on just new H-1B hopefuls while sending confusing mixed messages so intense that tech companies turned into frantic travel agents overnight.
Forget budget airlines; Amazon and Microsoft now compete in the âWho Pays More To Spam The Systemâ game while H-1B visa holders nervously RSVP ASAP to the U.S. before fees kick in.
Source: Axios | Published: 9/20/2025 | Author: Ben Berkowitz
More Articles in US News
Single Mom Vacations Milan, Kid Stuck With Dad's Disco Nights
US Shutdown Hits 40 Days, Senators Finally Hustle Sunday AF
Thanksgiving Airlift Cancelled: Controllers Ditch Paychecks, Not Turkeys
Trump Fights Judge Over Food Stamps Like Itâs WWE Finals
Zuccotti Park Gets Christmas Glow-UpâBankers Cry Silent Tears
