Overview

• President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on September 19 imposing a one‑time $100,000 charge on each new H‑1B petition, with officials clarifying it applies to new applications from September 21 and not to current holders or routine renewals.
• The White House framed the move as a measure to curb program abuses, and the U.S. Department of Labor amplified the message with a call to “End H‑1B abuse” and “Hire American.”
• Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney said the change presents an opportunity and pledged a proposal to attract skilled workers affected by the U.S. fee, as Germany and the UK also step up recruitment efforts.
• Indian authorities warned of risks to services exports and remittances and directed missions to assist nationals, with Indian IT firms and U.S. tech companies assessing higher costs and potential shifts in hiring and delivery models.
• Immigration lawyers and advocacy groups say legal challenges to the directive are expected, citing questions about presidential authority and fee-setting procedures.