Considering the new $100,000 H1B Visa fee, will talented foreign professionals look to other countries like Canada, the UK, or Australia instead of the U.S.?

Without a doubt, yes. The U.S. is already losing ground in the global competition for talent, and the new $100,000 H1B Visa fee could accelerate that trend. Countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia have streamlined immigration systems that not only cost less but also offer faster routes to permanent residency. For example: - Canada’s Global Talent Stream allows processing in as little as two weeks. - The UK has introduced a “High Potential Individual” visa targeting graduates from top global universities. - Australia’s skilled migration system is transparent and points-based. In contrast, the U.S. system is expensive, uncertain, and politically volatile. If professionals feel unwelcome or exploited, they will simply choose alternatives. The U.S. still has the brand appeal of Silicon Valley, but that alone may not be enough to compete against more open countries.

I don’t think the fee alone will drive people away from the U.S. The American Dream is still a powerful pull. For many professionals, especially in tech, the opportunity to work with leading companies and gain U.S. experience outweighs the costs and risks. Yes, $100,000 is massive, but usually employers sponsor this fee. The worker isn’t paying it directly. So while it might discourage smaller companies, the big firms that foreign workers aspire to join — Google, Microsoft, Meta — will continue to hire. As long as those companies are hiring, professionals will keep coming. So in my opinion, the U.S. may lose some edge, but the H1B Visa will remain highly sought after.