H-1B Visa Update: Doctors Likely Exempt from Trump’s $100,000 Fee

Doctors are expected to receive exemptions from the Trump administration’s recently imposed $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, according to a White House statement. The proclamation suggests that the fee increase might not affect all applicants. The Secretary of Homeland Security can grant exemptions if hiring these workers serves the national interest. This development follows concerns raised by medical organizations regarding the fee’s impact on rural areas facing healthcare provider shortages. The proclamation states that the restriction will not apply if the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that hiring the aliens is in the national interest and does not threaten the security or welfare of the United States. Reports suggest that this may include physicians and medical residents.