Appeals Court Agrees to Fast-Track Challenge to $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

The Trump administration says the fee hike is justified because of ‘systemic abuse of the program.’

A U.S. flag and a U.S. H-1B Visa application form, in this illustration taken Sept. 26, 2025. Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters

A federal appeals court on Jan. 5 agreed to expedite a business group’s appeal of a court ruling that upheld the Trump administration’s decision to increase the fee for H-1B visas for employees in specialty occupations to $100,000.

Washington-based U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell issued a ruling on Dec. 23, 2025, declining to block the fee increase. Howell also granted summary judgment in favor of the Trump administration.