US Lawmakers Seek to Exempt Healthcare Workers from $100,000 H‑1B Fee

A bipartisan group of US legislators has introduced the H‑1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act, a bill that would exempt foreign-trained healthcare professionals from the $100,000 filing fee for H‑1B visa applications.

The fee was introduced through a presidential proclamation in September 2025, placing a substantial financial burden on hospitals and other healthcare employers seeking to hire foreign workers. Critics say the charge could worsen staffing shortages in regions already struggling to maintain medical services.

Currently, employers can apply for exemptions if hiring a foreign worker is deemed in the national interest or if no qualified American workers are available. These exemptions, however, require detailed documentation and approval from the Department of Homeland Security, a process that is often time-consuming and uncertain. 

The proposed legislation would create a clear statutory exemption specifically for healthcare workers, removing these administrative obstacles. The American Hospital Association (AHA) has warned that the fee could force hospitals to cut services, particularly in rural areas and major city safety-net facilities that rely heavily on foreign-trained doctors. 

According to the AHA, over 21 million Americans live in communities where overseas-trained physicians account for at least half of all practising doctors. The bill highlights the balance between immigration policy and domestic workforce needs. While the fee aims to limit foreign labour, the healthcare sector’s dependence on international professionals illustrates the practical difficulties of such measures. 

The bipartisan support for the bill indicates a shared recognition that access to global talent is critical to addressing shortages in healthcare staffing. The legislation’s progress will depend on congressional negotiations in the coming months.