**Impact of Trump’s New $100,000 Fee on Work Visas for Medical Staff in Minnesota**

trump Administration Announces New Fee for H-1B Visas, Impacting U.S. Healthcare

Rochester, MN – On Friday, September 19, President donald Trump issued a proclamation introducing a $100,000 fee for each H-1B visa request submitted by companies. This growth has created uncertainty for major employers of foreign professionals, including leading medical institutions like the Mayo Clinic.

What are H-1B Visas?

The H-1B visa program enables U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialized occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Thes visas are typically granted for up to six years. The standard cost for an employer to sponsor an H-1B visa is approximately $3,380, according to immigration attorney Bo Cooper, a partner at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, based in Washington, D.C. The new fee represents a substantial increase.

According to data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Mayo Clinic is among the largest sponsors of H-1B visas in Minnesota. In 2025, the clinic had 366 applications approved, following 390 approvals in 2024.

Impact on Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota

The Mayo Clinic relies heavily on H-1B visas to recruit specialized professionals.A significant portion of these visas are designated for physicians completing clinical residencies, a mandatory step for international medical graduates seeking to practice medicine in the U.S. or Canada. The University of Minnesota is also a prominent H-1B visa sponsor, with 165 approvals this year.

The University of Minnesota released a statement indicating its commitment to supporting international students and scholars affected by changing immigration policies. They affirmed their ongoing recruitment efforts for international talent.

Institution	H-1B Applications Approved (2024)	H-1B Applications Approved (2025)
Mayo Clinic	390	366
University of Minnesota	N/A	165

Did You Know? The H-1B visa program is capped annually, and demand often exceeds the available number of visas, leading to a lottery selection process.

Potential Exemptions for Physicians

Recent reports, first published by Bloomberg on September 22, suggest that the Trump administration is considering exempting physicians from the $100,000 fee. The proclamation allows for exemptions based on national interest, and healthcare is considered a critical sector. However,the exact criteria for these exemptions remain unclear.

“The government has stated that it doesn’t affect existing H-1B visa holders or extensions with the same employer.”, said Bo cooper. He also explained that while Congress has broad authority regarding immigration, this specific fee structure could face legal challenges, especially considering existing legislation related to H-1B fees.

Beyond Physicians: Diverse Roles at Mayo Clinic

While physicians represent a significant portion of Mayo Clinic’s H-1B visa holders, the clinic also employs professionals in various other roles, including research associates, social workers, software engineers, and nurse anesthetists. The impact of the new fee will be felt across these different disciplines.

Pro Tip: Employers considering sponsoring H-1B visas shoudl consult with experienced immigration attorneys to navigate the evolving regulations and assess their options.

Understanding the H-1B Visa Landscape

The H-1B visa program has been a subject of ongoing debate,with concerns raised about its potential impact on U.S. workers. however, many employers argue that the program is essential for attracting skilled talent and driving innovation. The recent changes, including the new fee, are likely to further intensify this discussion.

The future of the H-1B program remains uncertain, and employers and foreign nationals alike are closely monitoring developments. The implementation of the new fee and any potential exemptions will have significant implications for the U.S. workforce and the healthcare industry.

Frequently Asked Questions about the H-1B Visa Fee

What is the H-1B visa?

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.

how much does an H-1B visa typically cost?

Typically, it costs around $3,380 for an employer to sponsor an H-1B visa.

What is the new fee announced by the Trump administration?

The new fee is $100,000 per H-1B visa application.

Are physicians exempt from the new fee?

The Trump administration is considering exemptions for physicians, but the details are not yet finalized.

When does the new fee go into effect?

The fee applies to new petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025.

What are your thoughts on the new H-1B visa fee? How do you think this will impact the U.S. healthcare system?

Share this article and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

What specific financial challenges does the $100,000 visa fee create for hospitals like st. Luke’s in duluth, Minnesota?

The New Visa Fee: A Breakdown

As of September 2025, a new $100,000 fee imposed on H-1B work visas sponsored by U.S.employers is substantially impacting the healthcare sector, notably in states like minnesota.This policy, enacted under the Trump management’s continued efforts to restrict immigration, targets employers seeking to hire foreign-born medical professionals. The stated aim is to disincentivize the outsourcing of American jobs, but the practical consequences for Minnesota’s healthcare system are considerable.This fee applies specifically to hospitals and healthcare facilities employing physicians, nurses, and other critical medical staff on H-1B visas.

Key Terms: H-1B visa, work visa, medical staff, healthcare workforce, immigration policy, Trump administration, Minnesota healthcare.

Impact on Minnesota Hospitals & Clinics

Minnesota, facing a growing shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly in rural areas, relies heavily on internationally trained medical personnel. the $100,000 fee presents a considerable financial burden, forcing hospitals and clinics to make difficult choices:

* Reduced Hiring: Many facilities are scaling back or halting plans to sponsor H-1B visas, directly impacting their ability to fill critical positions.

* Increased Costs: The fee is passed on, at least partially, to patients through increased healthcare costs.

* Service Limitations: Rural hospitals, already struggling financially, may be forced to limit services or even close departments due to staffing shortages.

* Delayed Patient Care: Longer wait times for appointments and procedures are becoming increasingly common as existing staff are stretched thin.

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Specific Medical Roles Affected

The fee impacts a wide range of medical professionals, including:

1. Physicians: specialists in high-demand fields like cardiology, oncology, and neurology are frequently recruited through the H-1B program.
2. registered Nurses (RNs): Minnesota’s aging population requires a robust nursing workforce,and many RN positions are filled by foreign-trained nurses.
3. Pharmacists: ensuring access to medication requires qualified pharmacists, and the visa fee hinders recruitment efforts.
4. Medical Technologists & Technicians: These essential personnel play a vital role in diagnostics and treatment, and their availability is now threatened.
5. Physical and Occupational Therapists: addressing the needs of patients requiring rehabilitation is becoming more challenging.

Keywords: foreign-trained doctors, international nurses, healthcare recruitment, medical visa sponsorship.

Financial Implications for Healthcare Providers

The $100,000 fee is in addition to existing visa submission costs, legal fees, and recruitment expenses. This significantly increases the overall cost of hiring a foreign-born medical professional.

* Small Hospitals: For smaller, rural hospitals, the fee can represent a substantial portion of their annual budget.

* Large Hospital Systems: Even large hospital systems are re-evaluating their reliance on H-1B visas, seeking choice solutions like expanding residency programs (which are themselves costly and time-consuming).

* Cost-Benefit Analysis: Hospitals are now conducting rigorous cost-benefit analyses to determine whether sponsoring an H-1B visa is financially viable.

LSI Keywords: healthcare finance, hospital budgeting, medical staffing costs, visa sponsorship expenses.

Potential Alternatives & mitigation Strategies

Minnesota healthcare providers are exploring several strategies to mitigate the impact of the new fee:

* Increased Investment in Residency Programs: expanding residency programs to train more American medical graduates is a long-term solution.

* Loan Repayment programs: Offering loan repayment assistance to medical professionals who commit to practicing in underserved areas.

* Telemedicine Expansion: Utilizing telemedicine to provide remote healthcare services, particularly in rural communities.

* Advocacy Efforts: Lobbying federal lawmakers to repeal or modify the visa fee.

* Streamlining Credentialing: Expediting the process of credentialing and licensing for internationally trained medical professionals who are already legally authorized to work in the U.S. (e.g., those wiht green cards).

Relevant Searches: healthcare workforce solutions, telemedicine Minnesota, medical residency programs, immigration reform.

Case Study: St.Luke’s Hospital, duluth

St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota, publicly announced in August 2025 that they were forced to postpone the hiring of three critical care nurses due to the new visa fee. Hospital administrators stated that the $300,000 total cost (including the visa fee and associated expenses) was simply unsustainable given their current budget constraints. This resulted in increased workloads for existing staff and longer wait times for patients needing intensive care. This