Trump forces companies with expensive visas to hire Americans

Annual visas for qualified foreign workers in the US will cost $100,000 (around €93,000).

This was announced by President Donald Trump, who wants to force large companies to give preference to American graduates from domestic universities over foreigners.

The fee represents a drastic increase from the previous cost of around $1,500 (€1,400). This was reported by the British BBC.

Critics warn that the new rules could destroy small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups that cannot afford such costs.

“This fee will have devastating effects; most companies will be excluded,” immigration lawyer Tahmina Watson told the BBC.

Since 2004, H-1B visas have been limited to 85,000 per year, with India being their largest source. In the coming fiscal year, the number of applications fell to 359,000 – a four-year low.

(red)