By Business Desk,News18

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Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings has expressed support for US President Donald Trump’s recent plan to impose a $100,000 fee on employers hiring foreign workers under the H-1B visa program. Hastings, who has been involved in H-1B policy discussions for over 30 years, described the proposal as “a great solution.”
Hastings highlighted that the steep fee would ensure H-1B visas are used for only the highest-value positions, providing certainty for employers and eliminating the need for the lottery system currently in place. The new measure is aimed at prioritising highly skilled foreign workers while encouraging companies to hire American workers first.
Hastings Backs Trump’s Plan
“I’ve worked on H1-B politics for 30 years. Trump’s $100k per year tax is a great solution,” Hastings wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
He explained that the fee would mean H-1B visas are reserved for “very high-value jobs,” giving more certainty and reducing reliance on the lottery, which often rejects even highly skilled applicants.
Check his post here:

I’ve worked on H1-B politics for 30 years. Trump’s $100k per year tax is a great solution. It will mean H1-B is used just for very high value jobs, which will mean no lottery needed, and more certainty for those jobs.
— Reed Hastings (@reedhastings) September 21, 2025

Hastings’ support came as a surprise to many, as he had previously criticised Trump, saying, “The President would destroy much of what is great about America,” according to a report by Fortune.
How The H-1B System Works
Currently, the US issues 85,000 new H-1B visas annually. Demand has often exceeded supply, leading to a lottery system to select applicants.
Reportedly, critics argue that even highly qualified candidates sometimes fail to secure a visa due to this random process. By raising the cost, the US government hopes to attract only highly skilled foreign workers while reducing outsourcing and protecting American jobs.
Reactions From India
Industry experts in India have commented on the potential impact of the fee hike. As per NDTV, Raghav Gupta, Founder and CEO of Futurense, suggested that many Indian students might shift their plans to other countries or consider staying in India instead.
Meanwhile, Dr Pavitar Parkash Singh, Professor and Senior Dean at Lovely Professional University, noted that the US could lose access to some of India’s brightest talent, while India could benefit by retaining or attracting these professionals, the publication states.
Clarification On The Fee
Initially, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated that the $100,000 H-1B fee might be annual. However, the White House later clarified that it would be a one-time payment for new applicants and would not apply to existing visa holders.
The policy change is expected to reshape the H-1B program, focusing on high-value jobs and potentially influencing the migration plans of skilled professionals worldwide.