Former President Donald Trump announced that a fee of $100,000 would be imposed on applicants for the H-1B professional visa, causing a significant shock in the U.S. education sector. Reports suggest that this measure could place a serious burden on universities and public schools that heavily rely on foreign faculty. There are concerns that this is not just an immigration regulation but could weaken the very competitiveness of U.S. science, technology, and education.

According to reports, former President Trump directed that the existing $1,000 H-1B visa fee be raised to a staggering $100,000. The rationale behind this was to "encourage hiring more Americans than foreigners." In other words, by making the visa expensive, the aim was to reduce foreign hiring and redirect those jobs to Americans. However, the actual impact of this measure is felt more by the U.S. education sector, which is struggling with a talent shortage, than by Silicon Valley or large corporations.

Linda Pasquerella, president of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU), explained, "Many U.S. colleges rely on H-1B visas to secure talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields." Particularly in areas like nuclear engineering, materials science, and medical research, where there is a shortage of domestic talent, foreign experts play a crucial role in research and education. Pasquerella emphasized, "We are not hiring foreigners to replace American workers. We are simply selecting the most qualified individuals based on their qualifications and abilities."

The issue is the cost. Jeffrey Gold, president of the University of Nebraska, expressed concern, stating, "If universities have to bear a $100,000 visa fee, they will not be able to hire as many H-1B holders as before." The total faculty at the University of Nebraska is about 16,000, but around 500 of them work under H-1B visas. These individuals are key personnel supporting the university's research competitiveness in precision agriculture, advanced technology, and medicine. In this situation, if the fee increases a thousandfold, especially smaller universities with weak financial conditions may not be able to hire foreign faculty at all.

Union College in New York currently has 16 staff members with H-1B visas, and President Elizabeth Keefe stated, "We do not have the capacity to pay a $100,000 fee in the future." This statement reflects the reality of small private colleges and regional universities. Even large public universities are in tight budget situations, and additional costs in the thousands of dollars could be fatal.

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the institutions that use the most H-1B visas are tech companies like Google and Microsoft, but educational institutions account for about 7% of all visas as of the 2024 fiscal year. Without this visa, many U.S. colleges would find it difficult to offer STEM courses. Since foreign faculty are also being hired in K-12 schools, this measure is expected to impact education across the United States.

Some schools hope that the Trump administration will exempt educational institutions from the fee. In fact, the proclamation signed by President Trump includes a provision stating that "the Secretary of Homeland Security may waive the fee for specific positions if it is determined that hiring foreigners is in the national interest." However, the problem is that specific criteria have not yet been established. There is no clear guideline on which institutions or positions will qualify for the exemption, leading to increased confusion.

Experts warn that while this policy may be framed as "protecting American jobs" in the short term, it could weaken the competitiveness of American talent in the long term. Particularly in advanced science and medical fields, the U.S. already heavily relies on the capabilities of foreign researchers and engineers. If that pathway is blocked, it is highly likely that top talent will leave for Canada, Europe, or other countries in Asia.

Ultimately, this issue is not just about visa fees but also a question of "what direction does America want to take in the future?" If the country that attracts the most international students and researchers loses the environment where talent can freely research and teach, the competitiveness of American universities will no longer be sustainable. Trump's increase in the H-1B visa fee is not just a change in numbers but a test that could determine the future of American education.