Visa fee hike could strain North Dakota schools, universities and hospitals

School superintendents across North Dakota are warning that a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa petitions could prevent them from hiring international teachers, according to the North Dakota News Cooperative. The Trump administration implemented the fee in late September, targeting large technology companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Meta and Apple. The change does not affect current H-1B holders.

Marc Bluestone, superintendent at New Town Public School District, said the increase would be “devastating” for his district, which has brought in 42 teachers on H-1B visas over the past five years. Penny Morin, superintendent at Tate Topa Tribal School in Fort Totten, said her Bureau of Indian Education school was notified it would receive a waiver. Educators at other schools, universities and hospitals expressed concern that the policy could limit their ability to fill critical positions.