Trump H-1B visa tech foreign governments

Following President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of plans to impose a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas, major technology companies and foreign governments are scrambling to respond. This move threatens to disrupt the program that supports America’s technology workforce.

The proposed fee would apply per worker, per year, potentially impacting companies in the technology and finance sectors that heavily rely on skilled immigrants, particularly from India and China.

This announcement has sent shockwaves through corporate America. Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, and Microsoft have advised their H-1B visa holders to either remain in the U.S. or return before a specified deadline to avoid any immigration complications.

President Trump’s administration has been actively working to restrict legal immigration since taking office. This latest move represents a significant effort to tighten regulations on employment visas.

Amazon currently employs the highest number of H-1B holders, with over 14,000 as of June. Other tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google also have thousands of H-1B visa holders.

Foreign governments, including India and South Korea, are assessing the impact of these visa restrictions on their industries and skilled workers. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has expressed concerns about the humanitarian consequences and disruption to families.

As the situation unfolds, companies and governments around the world are closely monitoring the implications of these new rules on international competitiveness and innovation.

Below is a list of the top 100 U.S. companies that received H-1B visas in fiscal year 2025.

— This article includes contributions from CNBC’s Annie Palmer.