The $100K H-1B Visa Fee: Why It Might Be Time to Rethink Global Hiring Through a PEO

The U.S. government’s proposal to introduce a $100,000 fee per H-1B visa petition has sent a strong signal to employers who depend on international talent. For decades, the H-1B program has allowed American companies to bring in skilled foreign workers in technology, finance, research, and engineering. With the new fee structure, the cost of sponsoring one worker could increase dramatically, putting pressure on businesses that rely on specialized global expertise.

While large corporations may be able to absorb these costs, small and mid-sized firms are likely to feel the strain most. For many employers, the increase will make traditional sponsorships financially unrealistic, forcing them to rethink how they attract and retain talent. Rather than navigating expensive visa processes and unpredictable approval timelines, some companies are now turning to a different model: working with a Professional Employer Organization or PEO.

A PEO allows businesses to employ international workers legally and compliantly in their own respective countries, without the need for a U.S. visa at all. Through this model, the PEO becomes the employer of record, handling payroll, taxes, benefits, while the client company manages the employee’s day-to-day workload. This approach offers an immediate financial advantage by avoiding the six-figure visa fee, but the benefits go far beyond cost savings. Employers can hire faster, adapt to changing market needs, and maintain access to skilled professionals who might otherwise be out of reach because of immigration restrictions.

By working through a PEO, businesses reduce their exposure to legal and administrative risk while staying compliant with the laws of each country where their employees are based. It also makes global hiring more agile; companies can expand or contract their teams quickly, without establishing local entities or spending months waiting for visa approvals. In an era when remote work and distributed teams are becoming the norm, this flexibility is invaluable.

Governments are tightening immigration policies, but technology is making it easier than ever for people to collaborate from anywhere in the world. For forward-thinking organizations, the smartest response isn’t to fight those restrictions — it’s to adapt. Partnering with a PEO allows companies to continue hiring the best people.

In today’s global economy, where innovation depends on finding and keeping top talent, the ability to hire across borders without barriers is becoming a competitive advantage. The H-1B policy change may make it harder to bring workers into the United States, but it also highlights a new opportunity: building business globally through the use of PEOs.