DHS Reveals Over 200,000 H‑1B Applicants Paid $100,000 Each for FY 2026 Slots

The Department of Homeland Security disclosed to the Senate that more than two‑hundred thousand foreign workers have each paid $100,000 to secure H‑1B visas for the fiscal year 2026. The figures, presented in a recent briefing, highlight the steep financial barrier many highly skilled Indian and other South Asian professionals face when competing for the limited U.S. work‑permit slots.

The H‑1B program, a primary pathway for tech talent from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other Desi nations, caps the number of new visas at 85,000 annually. The revelation that applicants are willing to shell out six‑figures underscores both the intense demand for U.S. jobs and the growing reliance on third‑party services that charge premium fees to improve lottery odds.

For the diaspora, the data raises concerns about equity and transparency in the immigration process. It also signals that prospective applicants must plan finances well in advance, as the cost of entering the U.S. workforce may far exceed the visa filing fee alone. Policymakers and community advocates are likely to press for reforms that curb exploitative pricing while preserving the channel that funnels technical talent to America.

The disclosure serves as a cautionary note for aspiring H‑1B holders: the road to a U.S. tech career is now not only competitive but also financially demanding.