InternationalSaturday, 25 July 2026·The Hindu - International
U.S. court blocks $100,000 H-1B visa fee; key ruling on Congress authority and visa costs
A U.S. appeals court on July 24, 2026 refused to revive the Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee, citing lack of congressional authorisation.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In July 2026, the Boston-based First Circuit Court of Appeals refused to stay a June 8, 2026 order by U.S. District Judge Leo T. Sorokin that struck down President Donald Trump’s $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas.
Key specifics
- The fee was imposed by a September 2025 proclamation issued by President Donald Trump.
- The First Circuit is a three-judge Bench based in Boston, and it ruled on Friday, July 24, 2026.
- The U.S. issues 65,000 H-1B visas annually, plus 20,000 additional visas for advanced-degree holders.
- The usual H-1B visa fee range mentioned in the report is $2,000 to $5,000.
- The plaintiffs in the case were 20 Democrat-ruled States, which argued the fee was an unlawful tax not authorised by Congress.
Exam lens
Question type: International law and policy, visa-related current affairs, U.S. judiciary. TNPSC one-liner: H-1B is a non-immigrant visa for speciality occupations, the U.S. annual quota is 65,000 + 20,000, and the July 24, 2026 First Circuit order blocked the $100,000 fee for lack of congressional authorisation.