Trump’s $100K H-1B Visa Fee Sparks Buzz: Will Doctors Get a Free Pass?

Trump’s New $100K H-1B Fee May Not Apply to Doctors. White House Hints at Exemption to Protect Rural Healthcare

The Trump administration introduced a sweeping policy that imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications for highly skilled foreign workers. The previous application cost stood at $215 plus standard processing fees.

Days after the proclamation, the White House signalled that doctors and medical residents may qualify for waivers. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told Bloomberg that the proclamation “allows for potential exemptions, which can include physicians and medical residents.”

The fee applies only to new petitions submitted on or after September 21, 2025. Current visa holders avoid the extra cost.

Concerns Over Healthcare Impact

Medical associations raised alarms about how the fee could worsen doctor shortages in rural and underserved communities. They pointed out that international medical graduates play a vital role, where US-trained physicians often do not serve.

Policy language gives the US Secretary of Homeland Security the power to waive the fee when hiring workers on an individual basis or for specific industries if their work serves the national interest. Hospitals contend that exempting doctors could preserve access to critical care in remote regions.

The healthcare sector, especially rural clinics, has expressed relief at the possibility of an exemption. Hospitals that rely on foreign-trained medical staff view the proposed fee as a risk to patient access in many areas.

Administration’s Justification and Criticism

President Trump justified the fee hike as a measure to ensure that only “extraordinarily skilled” foreign workers enter the United States, and to prevent misuse of the H-1B programme. The administration claims the fee reform will protect US workers, raise wage standards, and push for higher scrutiny of visa applicants.

Critics argue that even a conditional exemption might not fully remove barriers. They say that uncertainty around who qualifies for waivers could delay staffing decisions or discourage foreign doctors from seeking H-1B visas.

In summary, the new H-1B visa fee reaches $100,000 for new applicants. Yet the Trump administration now signals that a doctor's exemption may apply under national interest criteria. The medical sector sees this as a potential lifeline for healthcare delivery, where doctor shortages hurt patients the most.