Trump criticizes the $100,000 yearly charge on H1B visas, making Nigerians feel the heat.

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Washington has established a travel restriction on 12 nations and imposed a $15,000 bond on certain business and tourist visas in

recent months.

A proclamation released by US President Donald Trump levies an annual charge of $100,000 on applications for H-1B visas. Compared to the existing administrative fee of $1,500, this is a substantial rise.
Employing foreign workers in specialized professions like engineering, technology, and medicine is made possible by the H1B program. The duration of these visas is three to six years.

"All the major companies have been briefed," U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said at a White House event Friday. "All of the major corporations are on board, and H1B visas are worth $100,000 annually.
Educate Americans. "Stop hiring people to replace us," he urged.

Nigerian professionals, particularly doctors and computer workers, who frequently depend on the H1B route to obtain jobs in the US, are anticipated to be negatively impacted by the new policy.

The program is essential to the U.S. tech sector. Approximately two-thirds of H-1 B jobs are computer-related, according to government data. Amazon obtained over 10,000 visas in the first half of 2025, whereas Microsoft and Meta each obtained over 5,000 clearances. 

The United States grants about 65,000 visas annually, plus an extra 20,000 for those with advanced degrees. Supporters like Elon Musk believe that the system maintains the US competitive in the global economy, while detractors claim it suppresses American wages.

The new charge is the most recent in a series of Trump's immigration crackdowns. Washington has established a travel restriction on 12 nations and imposed a $15,000 bond for certain business and tourist visas in recent months.