The $100K H-1B Visa Fee: Why Nearshore Talent Is the Smarter Path
Visa Fee
The news that the U.S. government may impose a $100,000 annual fee for each H-1B visa has sent shockwaves through the tech and business community. For years, the H-1B program has been a lifeline for companies seeking highly skilled software engineers from around the world. With this change, the economics and the risks are about to shift dramatically.
So what does this mean for U.S. companies, and where can they turn for solutions?
The Cost of an H-1B Just Became Unsustainable
For many organizations, paying $100,000 per year for each engineer simply is not feasible. Even large enterprises will think twice before sponsoring visas under these conditions. For startups and mid-sized businesses, this policy essentially closes the door to H-1B hiring altogether.
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Why Nearshore Staff Augmentation Is the Better Alternative
The good news is that companies do not need to rely on H-1Bs to access world-class talent. Nearshore partners in Latin America provide senior software engineers who work in the same time zones, share cultural alignment, and cost only a fraction of what it would take to hire through a U.S. visa program.
By working with a nearshore provider, businesses can save millions in visa and relocation costs. They can also scale teams quickly without waiting months for approvals. They reduce risk by avoiding potential policy changes or legal hurdles. Finally, they gain access to senior, specialized talent who can integrate seamlessly into U.S. teams.
A Turning Point for U.S. Tech Hiring
This policy change could mark the beginning of a broader trend with less reliance on costly visa programs and more emphasis on distributed, borderless teams. Companies that adapt early will gain a competitive advantage in speed, flexibility, and cost efficiency.
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Our Perspective at Square Codex
At Square Codex, we believe this is a pivotal moment. We have built our model precisely for times like this, connecting North American companies with top senior engineers in Costa Rica and across Latin America, without the cost, risk, and delays of visas.
The message is clear: the future of tech hiring is nearshore, not tied up in red tape.
If your company is concerned about the $100K H-1B fee and wants to explore flexible, high-quality alternatives, we would be glad to share how nearshore staff augmentation can fit your strategy.
