What the $100K H1B Visa Means for Software Engineers

The US has just slapped a $100,000 surcharge on new H-1B visas, turning the once-affordable sponsorship process into a high-stakes investment for companies. This change is designed to fund other immigration priorities but will inevitably slow down foreign talent hiring, push organizations to rethink their global staffing strategies, and create sticker-shock for everyone involved.

For US citizens, this fee hike could translate into less competition and more open roles in tech. For non-US engineers, the barrier to entry just got a lot higher—some may delay or cancel relocation plans, seek remote contracts, or explore alternative countries. Ready or not, the playing field just shifted, and software pros on both sides of the border will need to adapt fast.

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