A major development in US H-1B Visa News is drawing worldwide attention as former U.S. President Donald Trump announces a steep $100,000 fee on new H-1B workers hired from abroad. This proposal represents one of the most significant policy changes to the American skilled-worker immigration system in recent decades.
The fee applies to H-1B employees who require consular processing outside the United States, which directly impacts companies that hire international talent—especially Indian IT giants such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, and Cognizant Technology Solutions. According to a Bloomberg analysis, nearly 90% of new H-1B hires at these companies between 2020 and 2024 came from outside the U.S., meaning the financial burden would be substantial if the fee goes into effect.
This article provides a detailed, neutral, and comprehensive report on the latest analyzing how the policy could reshape visa demand, corporate hiring strategies, offshore employment patterns, and global technology workforce trends.
US H-1B Visa News: Understanding the Proposed $100,000 Fee
The announcement of the $100,000 H-1B Worker Fee is now at the center of all major US H-1B Visa News stories. It marks the heaviest financial restriction ever attached to foreign skilled-worker hiring from overseas.
Why the Fee Matters
The H-1B program plays a critical role in allowing American companies to hire skilled professionals such as:
- Software developers
- AI and machine learning experts
- Cybersecurity specialists
- Data analysts
- Engineers and technology consultants
A sudden increase of $100,000 per overseas applicant could drastically alter how companies use the visa program.
Impact on Indian IT Companies Dominating US H-1B Visa News
Indian IT firms have long been the largest beneficiaries of the H-1B program, regularly topping the list of annual visa sponsors. The new fee places these companies at the center of US H-1B Visa News discussions.
Infosys Could Face Over $1 Billion in Additional Costs
The Bloomberg analysis reveals striking numbers:
- 93% of Infosys’ new H-1B hires (10,400 workers) from 2020–2024 came from overseas.
- Under the proposed fee, Infosys would have paid over $1 billion in additional charges.
These figures dominate current industry watchers questioning how such costs might affect project pricing and talent acquisition.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Also Hit Hard
TCS remains one of the largest H-1B employers in the world.
- 82% of new TCS hires (6,500 workers) fell under consular processing.
- If the fee had existed earlier, TCS would have paid hundreds of millions of dollars in added visa charges.
Cognizant Faces Similar Challenges
Cognizant, another major technology employer, recorded:
- 89% of new H-1B hires (5,600 employees) through consular processing.
- The total fees would have also reached hundreds of millions.
These companies appear in nearly every US H-1B Visa News report due to their heavy dependence on foreign talent pipelines.
Why US H-1B Visa News Highlights Consular Processing
A key detail in the policy is that the $100,000 fee applies only to applicants processed at U.S. consulates abroad. This significantly impacts multinational staffing firms and Indian technology companies whose hiring models rely on recruiting talent from India and other countries.
Under the latest US H-1B Visa News reports:
- More than 40% of all new H-1B hires nationwide come from outside the U.S.
- Indian STEM talent makes up the majority of this category.
The fee targets these hires, aiming to reduce what policymakers consider excessive reliance on foreign entry-level labor.
Industry Reaction: What Companies Are Saying in US H-1B Visa News
Infosys Response
Infosys stated that only a minor portion of its U.S. workforce currently relies on visas, suggesting limited immediate disruption.
Cognizant’s Statement
Cognizant said the announcement is expected to have limited near-term impact, emphasizing that the company already reduced visa usage over several years.
IBM’s Position
IBM, which hired 88% of H-1B workers from abroad, said it has gradually shifted
its immigration strategy, focusing on securing the right talent mix rather than the volume of visa holders. These measured corporate reactions are prominently featured in US H-1B Visa News coverage as companies signal preparedness for regulatory change.
Legal Challenges and Policy Uncertainty in US H-1B Visa News
Multiple states and business groups—including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce—have filed lawsuits challenging the legality of the $100,000 fee.
Key issues courts will evaluate:
- Does the executive branch have authority to impose such fees?
- Is the fee excessively punitive?
- Does it violate federal immigration law?
As the litigation proceeds, the fee dominates US H-1B Visa News headlines, with many employers waiting to see whether the courts will uphold or block the policy.
Shift in Hiring Trends Reported
Even before the fee’s legal fate is settled, hiring patterns are already changing.
Reduced H-1B Registrations
Industry insiders revealed that many companies plan to avoid registering workers who need international visa processing. This includes:
- Multinational staffing agencies
- Tech consulting firms
- Outsourcing specialists
Forecasted Drop in Lottery Entries
Lawfully, a legal technology firm, projects:
- 30% to 50% decline in next year’s lottery registrations
- Lower consular involvement
- Higher reliance on U.S.-based graduates
This anticipated reduction is a central topic across US H-1B Visa News coverage.
Offshoring Trends Strengthen in US H-1B Visa News Reports
Steve Hall, Chief AI Officer at ISG, noted a clear shift: U.S. companies may increasingly choose to expand operations in India and relocate technical work offshore.
Why offshoring is becoming more attractive:
- No immigration barriers
- Lower labor costs
- Large talent pools
- Reduced regulatory risk
US H-1B Visa News analysts predict that this trend could accelerate over the next five years.
Why the H-1B Lottery System Is Central to US H-1B Visa News
The online lottery registration introduced in 2020 made it cheaper and easier for companies to enter the H-1B selection process. This led to:
- 758,000 registrations in 2024
- Significant rise in multiple registrations for the same worker
- Concerns about system abuse
The Trump administration’s fee attempts to reverse these trends.
Weighted Lottery Reform Gains Attention
The policy includes another major change: a weighted lottery, giving higher chances to:
- High-wage workers
- Advanced degree holders
- Applicants earning Level 3 or Level 4 wages
This shift appears regularly in US H-1B Visa News because it changes the profile of workers most likely to succeed in future selections.
Effects on Foreign STEM Talent Covered in US H-1B Visa News
Immigration attorney Jonathan Wasden warned that the fee could discourage companies from sponsoring “exceptional” foreign talent who remain abroad.
Young graduates, early-career engineers, and students may face fewer U.S. opportunities, a frequent theme in US H-1B Visa News reporting.
Will the Fee Support American Workers? A Key Question
Supporters argue the policy could:
- Protect U.S. wages
- Reduce reliance on foreign entry-level workers
- Boost domestic STEM hiring
Opponents highlight that many H-1B candidates are paid well above the median American salary, suggesting limited wage suppression.
These contrasting viewpoints appear widely in analyses.
Economic Implications Examined
The H-1B Worker Fee could impact several sectors:
1. U.S. Technology Sector
- Delayed hiring
- Higher operating costs
- Increased automation
- Growing reliance on remote workers
2. Indian IT Sector
- Higher offshore headcount
- Larger delivery centers in India
- More project work handled remotely
3. Universities in the U.S.
- Potential decline in international student enrollment
- Competition from Canada and Australia
4. Corporate Competitiveness
Businesses fear losing access to global talent pipelines that fuel innovation.
Future of US H-1B Visa News: What to Expect Next
The coming H-1B cycle will reveal the first wave of outcomes:
- Will companies reduce registrations?
- How will the weighted lottery change selection patterns?
- Will offshore hiring accelerate dramatically?
Industry observers expect significant shifts, with the $100,000 fee remaining the centerpiece of all major US H-1B Visa News developments.
The H-1B Fee Marks a Turning Point
The proposed $100,000 fee represents a major turning point for the global technology workforce, international hiring models, and the H-1B program itself. As courts evaluate the legality of the policy, companies are already restructuring their talent strategies.
Indian IT firms—Tata, Infosys, and Cognizant—are among those most affected, with billions in potential costs. Meanwhile, U.S. corporations may accelerate offshore hiring as they navigate a shifting immigration landscape.
The fee continues to dominate signaling a period of unprecedented change for skilled-worker immigration and global talent mobility.
