The Trump administration is planning to significantly raise fees for H-1B work visas and F-1 optional practical training programmes, with the H-1B fee potentially reaching over $103,000 according to a Federal Register posting.
The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed raising the H-1B visa fee to $103,265, according to a Federal Register notice released on Monday. The move is part of a broader Trump administration initiative to impose new fees on both the H-1B employment visa programme and F-1 optional practical training (OPT) scheme for international students.
According to immigration services firm Fragomen, the proposed regulations have already advanced through the White House Office of Management and Budget. Fragomen reported that a proposed H-1B fee rule received clearance from the OMB on August 19, while a separate OPT fee proposal was submitted on August 20 and remains under review. The firm suggested that the DHS may propose a $100,000 fee on OPT applications as well.
These increases would substantially raise costs for multiple parties involved in the visa process. Foreign nationals seeking to work in the United States, international students transitioning from educational institutions to employment, and employers sponsoring H-1B workers would all face higher expenses should the regulations be implemented. Fragomen noted that the current H-1B proposal may be connected to an administration effort to impose a $100,000 petition fee that was previously blocked by courts.
While the proposals have progressed through the review process, their specific details remain confidential pending official publication. The final regulations are expected to be released publicly at a later date, providing full details on implementation timelines and fee structures.
