Key Points:
- Harvard faces $100 fee per new H-1B hire.
- Only new applicants are affected, not current holders.
- Universities fear high costs, hiring impact.
Harvard University may soon be required to pay a $100,000 fee for each new employee it sponsors under the H-1B visa program, following an executive proclamation announced on Friday.
Between 2017 and 2024, Harvard sponsored an average of 125 new H-1B visa petitions approved annually, according to data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. At that rate, the University could pay more than $10 million each year in fees if it continues its current level of sponsorship.
Impact on Harvard’s academic community
H-1B visas allow highly skilled workers to stay in the United States temporarily, with eligibility extending to faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers at universities. Harvard University typically sponsors applications for temporary academic appointments, such as research fellows and postdoctoral scholars, but not for staff positions, according to the Harvard International Office (HIO).
The new fee applies only to first-time visa petitions and is a one-time cost. Current visa holders will not be affected, and their existing travel privileges remain valid. Still, the financial impact could be substantial if the University maintains its historical level of new H-1B sponsorships.
On Saturday, the HIO emailed affiliated visa holders to advise caution regarding international travel while awaiting clarification. The message noted that the new rules applied to H-1B holders currently outside the country who seek entry after the effective date. The office added that exceptions may be granted, but emphasized that implementation details were still developing.
A follow-up message on Sunday confirmed that Harvard was assessing the full implications of the proclamation and would continue providing updates as further guidance became available.
Broader implications for universities
Across the higher education sector, H-1B visas play a critical role in sustaining research and teaching capacity. Universities often rely on international scholars to fill specialized academic and research positions, particularly in science, engineering, and technology fields.
While Harvard University has not publicly stated whether it will adjust the number of new sponsorships in response to the fee, the potential costs highlight a financial challenge shared by other research institutions. If fees remain in effect, universities that sponsor large numbers of H-1B petitions each year could face multimillion-dollar expenses.
Other institutions, including Yale and Dartmouth, initially advised affiliated visa holders to avoid international travel until government agencies clarified how the new rules would apply. This underscores the uncertainty felt by academic communities nationwide as they work to understand the scope of the changes.
For international scholars, the development introduces an additional consideration when pursuing temporary academic appointments in the U.S. While the fee is levied on sponsoring institutions rather than individuals, its potential effect on hiring practices may influence opportunities for faculty and researchers.
The Department of Homeland Security has clarified that the $100,000 cost is a one-time fee, limited to new applicants. Extensions of existing visas will not incur additional charges, and current visa holders may continue their work and travel under existing privileges.
As universities await further updates, the situation remains a focal point for academic administrators, faculty members and international researchers. The financial and operational impact of the fee is expected to unfold in the coming academic cycles, shaping how institutions approach global talent recruitment in the years ahead.
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