AMA: H-1B visa fee increase threatens patient access to care

WASHINGTON - The American Medical Association (AMA) warned the Trump Administration today that the $103,000 fee for H-1B visa petitions would result in "devastating consequences" for health care access throughout the country.

In a letter (PDF) to Homeland Security Secretary Mullin, the AMA urged the administration to exempt physicians from the fee, which would place a significant financial burden on the small practices, hospitals and other employers that rely on H-1B physicians. The steep increase-up from a few thousand dollars-would make hiring physicians to serve high-need populations "next to financially impossible."

The AMA comment letter is in response to Homeland Security's proposal to increase fees, following an earlier presidential proclamation that also sought to significantly increase the cost of H-1B visas.

The proposed fee comes as the United States already faces a physician workforce shortage that is projected to grow in the coming years. International medical graduates make up roughly one-quarter of the nation's physician workforce and play a particularly important role in rural and underserved communities.

"The physician workforce shortage is well documented, and the U.S. healthcare workforce relies upon physicians from other countries to provide high-quality and accessible patient care. This is demonstrated by the fact that nearly 20 million Americans live in areas of the U.S. where foreign-trained physicians account for at least half of all physicians," the AMA said in its letter. "This shortage is a real crisis with tangible, negative effects on U.S. citizens. This proposed rule will only exacerbate serious access to care challenges in our nation."

The AMA has repeatedly urged the administration to exempt physicians from H-1B fee increases. In September 2025, the AMA and 53 national medical societies called on (PDF) the Department of Homeland Security to exempt physicians, residents and fellows from the six-figure fee proposed by a presidential proclamation.

In June, the AMA applauded a federal court decision blocking the higher visa fee for physicians. The AMA also supports bipartisan legislation that would exempt physicians and other health professionals from the fee imposed by the presidential proclamation.

The entire letter to DHS can be found here (PDF).