US President Donald Trump has introduced a new policy increasing the annual fee for H-1B visa applications to $100,000.
The H-1B visa allows foreign professionals to work in the United States in specialised areas such as technology, medicine, and engineering.
Previously, employers paid around $1,500 in administrative fees for each H-1B visa, which are valid for three to six years.
The increase is expected to affect many foreign workers, including Nigerians, particularly medical professionals who often use the programme to gain employment in the US.
The H-1B system currently provides 65,000 visas each year, with an extra 20,000 reserved for applicants holding advanced degrees.
Tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta have relied heavily on this visa, with tens of thousands of approvals in the first half of 2025 alone.
Many of these positions are in computing, while others include engineering, healthcare, and education roles.
Supporters of the visa programme argued it fills critical skill gaps and keeps US companies competitive internationally.
Critics, however, say the system lowers wages and limits opportunities for American workers.
The new fee comes as part of Trump’s ongoing efforts to reduce legal immigration.
Under this policy, employers must cover the higher costs, changing the dynamics of hiring foreign professionals and likely reducing the number of applicants who can afford to work in the United States.
