H-1B visa now costs $100,000: Ten countries offering work visas without employer sponsorship
The US has introduced a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, significantly increasing costs for employers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. This change, effective from September 2025, impacts skilled foreign workers, particularly from India. Existing visa holders remain unaffected. In response, professionals are exploring alternative countries offering work visas without employer sponsorship, including Germany, Canada, Australia, and the UAE, providing flexible pathways for international talent beyond the US market.
The US has introduced a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, significantly increasing costs for employers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. This change, effective from September 2025, impacts skilled foreign workers, particularly from India. Existing visa holders remain unaffected. In response, professionals are exploring alternative countries offering work visas without employer sponsorship, including Germany, Canada, Australia, and the UAE, providing flexible pathways for international talent beyond the US market.
