The Donald Trump administration is considering an exemption for doctors and medical professionals from the newly imposed $100,000 H-1B visa application fee. White House spokesman Taylor Rogers confirmed that the executive order signed by President Trump allows for a waiver if the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security determines that hiring an individual or industry professional is in the national interest.
The executive order, issued last week, outlines that the waiver could benefit healthcare workers and doctors, especially given the nationwide concern about physician shortages in rural America. Several medical associations had warned that exorbitant visa costs could discourage international doctors, further worsening the shortage in underserved areas.
The White House announced Friday that the massive fee hike — from $215 to $100,000 (about ₹8.8 million) — would apply only to new applicants. Current H-1B visa holders and employees traveling abroad for temporary assignments will not be affected. The policy officially took effect at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday.
What is the H-1B Visa?
The H-1B visa program enables U.S. companies to employ highly skilled foreign professionals in specialized roles. Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualifications. The visa is initially valid for three years, with a possible extension of another three years.
According to economist Stephen Brown of Capitan Economics, around 700,000 H-1B visa holders and 500,000 dependents currently reside in the U.S. While tech companies dominate visa use, employers in hospitals, banks, universities, and research centers also rely on the program. Annually, the U.S. issues 65,000 new H-1B visas, with an extra 20,000 reserved for individuals with advanced degrees, distributed through a lottery system.
The potential exemption for doctors and medical personnel underscores the administration’s recognition of healthcare needs and could soften the blow of the unprecedented visa fee increase for critical industries.
