霸权主义再出现？10 万美元天价签证费，大量外籍人才流失

Core Viewpoint - The recent executive order from the Trump administration has significantly increased the H-1B visa application fee from several thousand dollars to $100,000, which poses a substantial financial burden on companies in the tech industry [1][8]. Group 1: H-1B Visa Overview - The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant temporary work visa designed for foreign high-skilled workers, with an initial validity of 3 years and a possible extension for a total of up to 6 years [3]. - Since its introduction in the 1990s, the H-1B visa has been crucial in supplying high-end labor to the U.S., supporting groundbreaking projects like GPT models, SpaceX rockets, and iPhone chips [5]. - The annual quota for H-1B visas is 85,000, with only 25% to 40% of applicants expected to succeed in 2025, highlighting a significant mismatch between demand and supply [5][12]. Group 2: Financial Impact on Companies - The average annual salary for H-1B visa holders is approximately $167,000, making the new $100,000 visa fee equivalent to over half a year’s income for these employees, thus increasing operational costs for companies [7]. - Startups with limited funding have expressed strong opposition to the fee increase, while major companies like Amazon and Meta have quietly delayed key R&D projects [8]. - The U.S. Secretary of Commerce indicated that the fee is calculated annually, meaning a total of $600,000 over a 6-year visa period, further exacerbating financial concerns for companies [8]. Group 3: Talent Shortage and Dependency - Less than half of U.S. students pursue STEM education, leading to a significant talent gap, with international students making up 70% of those earning PhDs in STEM fields from 2000 to 2017 [12]. - By 2030, the U.S. tech sector is expected to create 3.85 million new jobs, with 1.4 million positions likely to remain unfilled due to the talent shortage [12]. - Companies have adopted a strategy of "laying off locals while hiring foreigners" to mitigate costs, as seen in Tesla's recent layoffs where over 2,000 H-1B visa applications were submitted [14][15]. Group 4: Long-term Implications - The high visa fees may disrupt the previously established cycle of attracting global talent, leading to potential challenges in maintaining technological advancements and industry leadership in the U.S. [18].