TechNet, a bipartisan industry group representing major technology companies, has formally urged the White House to withdraw a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposal to charge a $103,265 fee for most new H-1B visa applications. The group filed a public comment arguing the fee would stifle innovation and economic growth, particularly for smaller companies, by hindering their ability to hire essential high-skilled foreign talent.
The proposed rule, introduced in August 2026, would apply to all cap-subject H-1B petitions, which are limited to 85,000 annually. The DHS stated the fee is intended to generate revenue to cover the costs of administering the entire immigration system. Critics, however, argue the unprecedented cost could drastically reduce H-1B applications and negatively impact the U.S. Treasury's revenue if companies hire fewer foreign workers.