Rep. Lawler Introduces Bill to Exempt Healthcare Workers from $100,000 Visa Fee
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process after being sent to the House Committee on the Judiciary. It is actively moving forward, but there are no upcoming votes or hearings scheduled at this time. There is no companion bill mentioned for this legislation.
The bill has support from both parties, which helps it move forward. However, it tries to change a rule set by Trump, which could lead to a political fight.
Small healthcare practices, rural clinics, and independent medical offices that rely on H-1B workers would avoid paying the $100,000 fee to hire foreign-trained medical professionals. For small employers, that fee could be completely unaffordable and force them to operate short-staffed. This exemption keeps the cost of hiring at the standard visa fee level, making it financially possible for smaller healthcare operations to recruit internationally.
“No fee may be imposed on an alien described in subsection (a) that exceeds the fee set forth in section 214(c)(9)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(9)(B)).”
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
The H–1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act—introduced by Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA) and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY)—would exempt physicians and health care workers from a recently imposed $100,000 fee now required to obtain an H-1B visa.
Lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan measure (H.R. 7961) to exclude doctors and other healthcare workers from the $100,000 H-1B fee put in place by President Trump. The bill would also prevent new H-1B fees from being placed on healthcare workers that surpass existing fees.
Doctors and other healthcare workers would be exempt from the $100,000 fee for H-1B visas under bipartisan legislation introduced Tuesday. The bill, HR 7961, was lauded by the American Medical Association, which said the fee adds significant costs for hospitals and will worsen shortages.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
H–1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act
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