Boston Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s H-1B Visa Fees

A federal judge in Boston has ruled against the Trump administration’s $100,000 fee for H-1B visas, deeming it an unconstitutional tax that lacked Congressional approval.

In a related development, the State Department is set to introduce a “premium” expedited service. This will allow foreign business and tourist visa applicants to secure interview appointments within 10 days at select U.S. embassies and consulates for an additional fee of $750. This announcement is expected to be published in the Federal Register this week.

The pilot program will commence on July 1 and run through December 31, though it could be extended based on demand. Interestingly, this comes at a time when the department also requires deposits of up to $15,000 for visa processing from several countries deemed high-risk for overstay.

The embassies participating in this expedited service will be announced by July 1. This new approach aims to help reduce wait times for visa interviews, especially given the significant changes in visa screening and compliance implemented by the Trump administration. Additionally, foreign travelers will soon face a $250 “visa integrity fee.”

The federal government has recently expanded various visa screening measures. These include higher deposit requirements and requests for extensive personal information, such as years of social media usage, which have contributed to delays in visa processing globally.

While the expedited service fees could potentially shorten wait times—which can span several months—there’s no guarantee that a visa will actually be issued. This service could offer a more efficient route for applicants from nations not involved in the Visa Waiver Program.