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🚨 Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Fee SHOCKS Indians | What It Means for You!

🚨 Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Fee SHOCKS Indians | What It Means for You!

Yash Mittra - YMGrad

29,470 views • 29 days ago

Video Summary

The recent proclamation significantly impacts the H1B non-immigrant visa program by imposing a $100,000 fee for companies sponsoring H1B applicants. This measure is intended to ensure that only truly highly skilled individuals are brought into the country, protecting American jobs and workers. The policy effectively discourages companies from training foreign workers, encouraging them instead to hire and train recent graduates from American universities.

This substantial fee is set to make the H1B visa program prohibitively expensive for many companies, particularly smaller ones, potentially leading them to cease sponsoring H1Bs altogether. The increased cost, coupled with a potential shift towards higher salary requirements for H1B holders, creates a more challenging environment for both employers and prospective visa recipients. Existing H1B holders are advised to avoid international travel due to uncertainty about re-entry, and new applicants face a tougher landscape with fewer sponsorship opportunities.

With the H1B visa program becoming increasingly unstable, individuals are urged to explore alternative immigration pathways. Options like the EB1A visa, for those with an approved I140 before 2023, and the O1 visa, for recent graduates or those without a priority date, are presented as more stable and potentially more viable alternatives for employers. Proactive steps and exploring these alternatives are emphasized as crucial for safeguarding one's immigration status.

Short Highlights

  • A new proclamation mandates a $100,000 fee for companies sponsoring H1B visa applicants.
  • This fee aims to ensure only highly skilled workers are hired and protect American jobs.
  • Small companies are unlikely to afford this fee, potentially halting their H1B sponsorships.
  • Existing H1B holders are advised against international travel due to re-entry uncertainties.
  • Alternative visas such as EB1A and O1 are recommended for those affected by the changes.

Key Details

H1B Visa Program Impact [00:00]

  • The H1B visa program is described as one of the most abused visa systems.
  • The program is intended for highly skilled laborers in fields where Americans are not working.
  • A new proclamation will raise the fee for companies sponsoring H1B applicants to $100,000.
  • This fee aims to ensure that sponsored individuals are exceptionally skilled and not replaceable by American workers, thereby protecting American jobs.
  • The policy is designed to ensure companies have a pathway to hire truly extraordinary individuals.

We need workers. We need workers. We need great workers. And this pretty much ensures that that's what's going to happen.

The new policy aims to refine the H1B visa program by introducing a significant fee, intended to secure highly skilled foreign talent while prioritizing American workers and job opportunities. This measure seeks to ensure that the program serves its intended purpose of filling critical skill gaps with top-tier professionals.

Rationale Behind the Fee Increase [00:47]

  • The $100,000 fee is per year.
  • The intention is to stop big tech companies from training foreign workers; instead, they must pay this fee to the government.
  • Companies will have to pay both the government fee and the employee's salary, making it non-economic for some.
  • The policy encourages companies to train recent graduates from American universities.
  • The overarching goal is to stop bringing in people to take American jobs.

Train Americans. Stop bringing in people to take our jobs. That's the policy here.

This section clarifies the strategic intent behind the increased fee, shifting the focus from potentially subsidized foreign worker training to a more direct investment in American talent and labor. The economic implications for companies are highlighted, suggesting a potential re-evaluation of hiring strategies.

Program Changes and Impact [01:30]

  • The Trump administration's latest move has impacted everyone in the H1B system.
  • Starting September 21st, the H1B program will change significantly.
  • This affects H1B seekers, those in the lottery, and individuals who have held an H1B for up to 10 years.
  • The major change is the employer's obligation to pay $100,000 to the U.S. government to sponsor an H1B.
  • Companies already sponsoring H1Bs will need to pay this amount to retain employees for the following year.
  • Small companies are unlikely to afford this fee and may stop sponsoring H1Bs.
  • Larger companies might still be able to afford it, but it increases the overall expense.
  • The H1B program is moving towards a higher salary regime and may only be accessible to those with high salaries, plus the $100,000 government fee.
  • This increased cost is making the H1B program expensive for employers, potentially leading to shifts in their operations.

The H-1B with its high salary nowadays now they're talking about making it higher salary regime you know it's not a lottery if you have a high salary only then you should be able to have it plus paying 100,000 to the government it's becoming expensive and expensive for the employer and when it becomes expensive employers will start shifting.

The new regulations represent a substantial shift, making the H1B program significantly more costly for employers. This increased financial burden is expected to disproportionately affect smaller businesses and may lead to a change in how companies approach hiring foreign talent, with a potential move towards prioritizing domestic workers or exploring alternative visa options.

Advice for H1B Holders and Aspirants [02:53]

  • Existing H1B Holders Outside the US: You cannot enter the US after September 21st unless your employer pays the $100,000 fee. It's advised to cancel tickets or arrange flights immediately.
  • Existing H1B Holders Inside the US: Cancel all travel plans outside the US for the time being. Re-entry may not be possible due to the new regulations, pending potential lawsuits or further developments. Companies may not renew H1Bs due to these changes, making the program seem unstable.
  • New H1B Aspirants: Keep trying, but understand that employers may be hesitant to sponsor due to the new crossfire with the administration. Many employers may decline sponsorship requests. International students will face a tougher time, and only big tech companies will likely sponsor H1Bs.
  • H1B cap-exempt individuals are also advised to look for alternatives as they are not safe.

So make sure that you cancel your tickets or you prep your flight. Enter as quickly as possible because later on there's no telling what's going to happen at the airport.

This section provides critical, time-sensitive advice for individuals currently navigating the H1B visa system. It highlights the immediate risks associated with international travel for those inside the U.S. and the diminishing prospects for new applicants, urging a proactive search for alternative immigration solutions.

Alternative Immigration Pathways [04:38]

  • Alternatives are the recommended way forward.
  • For those with an I140 approved before 2023: There's a strong chance to obtain a green card by shifting to EB1A within a year, provided they qualify.
  • For new graduates or those without a priority date: The O1 visa is suggested as a more popular, simpler, stable, and cheaper option for employers starting next year.
  • A free eligibility check is available for EB1 and O1 visas via a provided link.
  • Waiting is discouraged; signing up for an eligibility check is encouraged.

Alternatives are the way to go.

With the increasing uncertainty surrounding the H1B visa, this section strongly advocates for exploring and pursuing alternative immigration avenues. The EB1A and O1 visas are presented as viable options, offering different benefits and suitability for various individuals, emphasizing the importance of proactive research and consultation.

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