US Tightens H-1B Visa Rules, Extends $100,000 Fee for One Year

The Trump administration has moved to tighten oversight of the H-1B visa programme, directing the US Departments of State, Labour and Homeland Security to scrutinise applications from employers with recent or planned layoffs of similarly situated US workers, while renewing a USD 100,000 fee requirement for certain H-1B visa petitions. 

According to a White House fact sheet, US President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order and a Proclamation on Friday to strengthen programme integrity, improve interagency coordination, and address what the administration describes as abuses of the H-1B



system.

The Executive Order directs the US Secretary of State, Secretary of Labour and Secretary of Homeland Security to consider an employer's recent or planned layoffs of similarly situated US workers when reviewing H-1B visa applications. 

The three departments have also been directed to consult with the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Education, and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to gather additional information to administer the H-1B programme, including data on wages, industrial conditions, and employment specialisation, the fact sheet said.