Why the new H-1B policy helps outsourcers, not startups

A significant overhaul of the H-1B visa program has been introduced by the Trump administration, dramatically increasing the application fee from a range of $2,000-$5,000 to an astonishing $100,000 per visa. This development has raised alarm bells among startup founders, who fear that such high costs could limit their ability to recruit international talent, ultimately threatening innovation in the United States. On the latest episode of TechCrunch’s popular podcast, Equity, host Dominic-Madori Davis engaged with Jeremy Neufeld, the director of Immigration Policy at the Institute for Progress. Together, they explored the implications of this steep fee hike for startups and the broader tech landscape in America. The conversation highlighted the potential challenges that founders may face in hiring skilled workers from abroad, which could hinder the growth and competitiveness of new ventures in the tech industry. For a deeper dive into the discussion, listeners can tune into the full episode, available on major podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Overcast, and Spotify. Follow Equity on social media for updates on future episodes and insights into the evolving tech ecosystem.