A jolt to experienced workers
Let’s dissect. The H-1B visa has been around since 1990, allowing American companies to hire foreign specialists with niche skills—think engineers, computer programmers, scientists, and physicians. For decades, it’s been a godsend to American commerce and workers from countries like India and China.
But all of that changed on September 19, when President Donald Trump signed an executive order doubling the application fee for every H-1B visa to a whopping $100,000. That’s an enormous increase from the old band of $2,000 to $5,000. And here’s the twist—it doesn’t single out just small businesses or startups. The biggest hit is on large corporations with a heavy reliance on foreign talent.
Who uses the most H-1B visas?
And now, you might have thought that the giants like Apple, Microsoft, or Meta would lead the list of H-1B sponsoring companies. But nope. The most H-1B visa workers hired by an American company is Amazon.
Yes, Amazon has more H-1B visa employees than any US company. And it’s no wonder if you think about it—Amazon is not just an online store. It’s a tech powerhouse with Amazon Web Services (AWS), cloud computing, logistics infrastructure, artificial intelligence projects, and sophisticated robotics. All those fields need top-notch professionals. A vast majority of those skills are outsourced from overseas talent.
Actually, the majority of H-1B positions in the U.S. are technology-related. Indian nationals accounted for 71 percent of the approved H-1B visas in 2022 alone. So when the expense of bringing each employee on board increases to $100,000, the likes of Amazon will be hit the hardest.
Why this matters for the U.S. economy
We both know that businesses do not swallow costs like this. They adjust. And with the new limit, firms can employ fewer foreign employees, freeze certain positions, or move more functions overseas.
It’s not a matter of saving dollars—it’s competition. Think about it: if Google or Amazon can’t easily bring in the world’s best programmers or engineers, they might get left behind in technologies like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or cloud computing.
And here’s the other thing to remember—some of today’s most prominent U.S. tech leaders once came to the country on an H-1B visa. Google’s Sundar Pichai, Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, and even Elon Musk have all attested that their careers were catapulted because of the program. Without visas like these, would these companies even exist today?
The ripple effect around the world
This new fee doesn’t just impact U.S. employees and employers—it sends a message that encourages other countries to come in and steal that talent.
The United Kingdom is talking about abolishing or cutting visa fees to attract the top scientists and engineers.
China will roll out a new K Visa later this year, designed to recruit foreign STEM workers.
South Korea would like to capitalize on this time to woo AI experts and build its technology economy.
Canada is already familiar with welcoming H-1B holders, even having specialised migration programmes for them.
So while the U.S. is turning up the heat, other nations are rolling out the red carpet. That has the effect of a brain drain—the brightest and best leaving the U.S. to seek greener fields elsewhere.
What about existing H-1B holders?
If you already have an H-1B visa, relax then. The policy won’t affect current holders or those who have applied earlier than September 21. But there is a catch: H-1B visas are temporary. They last for three years and can be extended to six years. When it’s time to renew, that $100,000 fee will start again.
For the thousands of families that rely on these visas, this is not just a matter of cost—it’s a choice about their lives. Do they stay in America and pay the steep price tag, or do they find stability elsewhere? That’s the difficult choice thousands will have to make.
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What happens next?
Critics argue this will have a boomerang effect. On the one hand, yes, it will lead some companies to hire more American workers. But it can also strangle innovation and growth in industries where global talent has long been the foundation.
Amazon, more than any company, is in the hot seat. It must decide whether it continues to invest heavily in foreign talent or retrenches and risks sacrificing its market share lead.
And for skilled workers worldwide, this may be the moment to rethink their dream of working in America.
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