(Dec 24): A federal judge said the Trump administration can move ahead with a US$100,000 (RM406,400) fee on new H-1B visa applications, providing a setback for US technology companies that rely on hiring skilled foreign workers. Daryl Joseffer, the chamber’s executive vice president, said in a statement the US$100,000 fee makes H-1B visas cost prohibitive. The H-1B visa programme is a cornerstone of employment-based immigration, allowing companies in the US to hire college-educated foreign workers for specialised occupations. In September, Trump signed a proclamation to increase the application fee to discourage companies from abusing a programme that he claimed displaces US workers. Their lawsuit focuses on the projected impact on the public sector, particularly in the fields of health care and education, that also rely on the H-1B visa programme.

Source: The Edge Markets December 24, 2025 02:04 UTC