Trump’s 100-Fold Hike in Professional Visa Fees Spurs Global Rush to Attract Top Talent

As President Donald Trump’s decision to increase H-1B visa fees for professionals by 100-fold sends shockwaves, the efforts of various governments, including South Korea, to attract highly skilled talent are drawing attention. According to Yonhap News Agency, Reuters reported on the 22nd (local time) under the headline, "Brain Drain U-Turn: Governments Rush to Attract Talent After U.S. Visa Policy Shift," that President Trump signed a proclamation raising the H-1B visa fee from $1,000 (about 1.4 million won) to $100,000 (about 140 million won), and introduced the responses from the United Kingdom, China, and South Korea following this decision.

Donald Trump, President of the United States, signed a proclamation related to visas in the White House office on the 19th. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

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On the 19th, President Trump signed a proclamation for a sweeping overhaul of the H-1B visa program. The H-1B visa applies to professional occupations, including those in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Only 85,000 are issued annually through a lottery system. The visa allows an initial stay of three years, with the possibility of extension, and holders can also apply for permanent residency. Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce, stated, "Whether it’s a first-time application or a renewal, companies will have to decide whether this employee is worth paying the government $100,000 per year. If not, the worker should return to their home country, and the company should hire an American."

According to Yonhap News Agency, the UK government is considering completely abolishing fees for its own visa program similar to the H-1B. While this measure had been under discussion even before the fee hike, it is reportedly gaining momentum thanks to the Trump administration’s policy. An official told the media, "We are discussing this for individuals who have attended one of the world’s top five universities or have received prestigious awards," adding, "We are considering a plan to fully waive the costs."

China plans to introduce a new visa for attracting STEM talent starting in October. Holders of this visa will be able to enter China to study and work without needing a prior job offer or research position. Bernhard Rohleder, head of Bitkom, a digital industry association in Germany, emphasized, "The new U.S. policy could be an opportunity for Germany and Europe to attract top talent."

Kang Hoonshik, Chief of Staff to the President. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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South Korea has also instructed various ministries to find ways to attract foreign scientists and engineers. On the 22nd, Kang Hoonshik, Chief of Staff to the President, stated at a senior aides’ meeting, "This could be an opportunity to attract global STEM talent to Korea," adding, "The government plans to focus next year’s budget on major initiatives such as an AI (artificial intelligence) transformation to realize a technology-driven, super-innovative economy." According to the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, last year South Korea experienced a net outflow of 0.36 AI experts per 10,000 people. This ranks among the lowest in the OECD for AI talent inflow and outflow.

The media noted, "Several countries, including South Korea, are seeking to turn the tide of talent outflow by taking advantage of the United States’ increasingly strict immigration policies to attract foreign scientists and engineers, develop their own industries, and reverse the brain drain."

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