Columbia University braces for potential $20 million burden as new H-1B visa fee targets universities

Time of India ^ | 10/8/2025 | Education Desk

[marcusmaximus]

Columbia University could face a substantial financial impact if the Trump administration’s proposed $100,000 fee on H-1B visas is implemented, as reported by the Columbia Spectator. The fee, announced in a White House proclamation on September 19, 2025, could cost the University up to $20 million annually, according to data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). While current H-1B visa holders and renewals are not affected, new visa petitions filed after September 21 would be subject to the levy, placing additional strain on universities that rely heavily on international talent for research and teaching.

New H-1B hires could drive costs

In the 2025 fiscal year, Columbia sponsored 112 new H-1B visa hires, including postdoctoral fellows, assistant professors, and research staff, out of a total of 217 active visas. Previous fiscal years saw 189 and 168 new hires in 2023 and 2024, respectively. If hiring patterns remain consistent, the proposed $100,000 fee per visa could translate into $10–20 million in extra costs annually. However, some new hires are visa transfers from other employers, which may not be subject to the fee.

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[Getready]

Columbias endowment is about 15 billion. 20 mill is about 0.13%.....a rounding error. The 20 million goes to the feds to pay down the debt ...(Maybe).

[metmom]

The world would be better off if all non citizens went home.

[jroehl]

“rely heavily on international talent for research and teaching”

What would be wrong with India doing more “research and teaching”?

[central_va]

What we be wrong with US citizens doing research and teaching?