Tech CEO slams H-1B fee hike; warns increase harms startup hiring

Box CEO Aaron Levie has strongly criticised President Trump’s new $100,000 H-1B visa fee, warning it grants large tech companies an unfair advantage over cash-strapped startups in the global talent acquisition race. Levie argued the steep cost transforms international hiring into a ‘spending game’ smaller firms cannot win, potentially pushing innovation overseas. He advocated for a significantly lower $20,000 fee and a broader reform framework with flexible visa caps, aiming to attract top global talent while safeguarding American wages.