New $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Worries L.A. Companies

Trump administration's overhaul of skilled immigration program creates challenges for businesses.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Trump administration's changes to the H-1B visa program, including a new $100,000 fee for successful applicants, are causing concerns for companies in Los Angeles and across the U.S. Staffing firms that have heavily relied on the visas are expected to reduce their usage, while tech startups worry they'll have a harder time attracting top talent. Some states have also moved to limit H-1B hiring at public institutions.

Why it matters

The H-1B visa program is critical for many U.S. companies, especially in the tech industry, to recruit highly skilled foreign workers. The new fees and rules could make it more difficult and expensive for businesses to hire the talent they need, potentially impacting their ability to grow and innovate.

The details

The annual H-1B visa lottery is undergoing major changes this year, including a new $100,000 fee for successful applicants and a system that now favors more experienced and higher-paid workers. Outsourcing and placement firms that have been major users of the H-1B program are expected to reduce their reliance on the visas due to the high costs. Tech startups are also worried they'll have a harder time attracting top talent under the new rules. Some states, like Florida and Texas, have also moved to limit H-1B hiring at public institutions.

  • The annual H-1B visa lottery gets underway with the new rules this month (March 2026).
  • The $100,000 H-1B fee was implemented through a Trump administration executive order in September 2025.
  • Florida's public university system voted on Monday (March 4, 2026) to freeze H-1B hiring while studying the program's impact.
  • Texas banned H-1B hiring at public universities and state agencies until at least May 31, 2027 in a decision made in January 2026.

The players

Trump administration

The current U.S. presidential administration that implemented the major changes to the H-1B visa program.

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

An IT services and consulting firm that has been a major user of the H-1B visa program in recent years.

Infosys Ltd.

An IT services and consulting firm that has been a major user of the H-1B visa program in recent years.

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.

An IT services and consulting firm that has been a major user of the H-1B visa program in recent years.

True Religion

A Los Angeles-based apparel maker that decided not to pursue an H-1B visa due to the new $100,000 fee.

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What they’re saying

“This is going to be a bit of a sea change.”

— Peter Bendor-Samuel, Executive Chairman, Everest Group (latimes.com)

“We will not seek an H-1B for a role if we have to pay $100,000. It's a lot of money.”

— Mara Roitman, Vice President for Human Resources, True Religion (latimes.com)

“There are several changes that taken collectively will diminish the tech industry's ability to attract and retain key talent. In the end, it will result in a smaller talent pool for tech companies.”

— Hiba Anver, Partner, Erickson Immigration Group (latimes.com)

What’s next

The executive order that created the $100,000 H-1B fee is due to sunset in October 2026, and so far there is no word on plans for a renewal, adding another layer of uncertainty around the future of the program.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's overhaul of the H-1B visa system, including a steep new fee, is creating significant challenges for companies in Los Angeles and across the U.S. that rely on the program to hire highly skilled foreign workers. This could hamper the ability of tech startups and other businesses to attract the talent they need to grow and innovate.