WASHINGTON, D.C.
A new U.S. visa fee could create a significant financial barrier for foreign professionals seeking to work in the United States.
In a move to curb immigration, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Friday that raises the application fee for the H-1B visa to a staggering $100,000. The change adds a new financial hurdle for companies, affecting workers from foreign countries, including those from Nigeria.
The H-1B visa is a vital pathway for skilled workers, particularly those in the tech sector, to pursue career opportunities in the U.S. This new fee, which comes on top of existing visa costs, makes it financially prohibitive for all but the largest corporations to hire international talent.
Speaking at the event, President Trump stated, “We need workers, we need great workers, and this pretty much ensures that that’s going to happen.” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick added that the new charge is intended to push firms to prioritize American workers with emphasis to “Stop bringing in people to take our jobs.”
The change could significantly deter skilled professionals from Nigeria and other nations from entering the U.S. labor market. This shift may compel many to explore career opportunities in other countries with more open visa policies, such as Canada or the United Kingdom.
The proclamation also directs Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to begin a rulemaking process to revise prevailing wage levels for the H-1B program, a change that could further complicate the hiring of foreign workers.
