In September 2025, the U.S. government imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, targeting beneficiaries outside the United States or those requiring consular processing. This represents one of the most significant changes to skilled-worker immigration in years and has immediately drawn widespread attention.
However, according to Nearshore Americas, while this policy shift generated headlines and industry concern, the market response has so far been measured rather than explosive. Nearshore service providers report that although interest in Latin American talent appears to be increasing, this has not yet translated into significant sales.
Early Market Reactions: Interest Without Immediate Sales
The new fee led some offshore companies to rapidly launch marketing aimed at smaller businesses looking to avoid or offset the cost. Yet, nearshore industry leaders say that the anticipated surge in demand for nearshore services has been slower and more cautious than expected, with many companies still evaluating the policy’s long-term effects.
Sonatafy’s CEO Steve Taplin Featured: Early Uptick in Conversations
Featured in the Nearshore Americas article, Steve Taplin, CEO of Sonatafy Technology, shared his insight into how the new H-1B fees are influencing company behavior:
We do expect the new $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions to be a net positive for nearshore demand over the next 12 months
That said, in the immediate months after the announcement, we have not seen a sudden, dramatic spike that I would call a surge.
That clarified that while Sonatafy has seen more inquiries about pricing and availability, many prospective buyers remain in the evaluation phase rather than moving directly into procurement, reflecting broader industry caution.
Policy Uncertainty and Buyer Caution
Emphasized that uncertainty surrounding the fee’s rollout, including clarifications, exemptions, and ongoing legal challenges, has encouraged companies to proceed cautiously rather than rapidly overhaul hiring strategies.
It was also noted that while large enterprises could absorb the cost, for many mid-sized organizations, the fee significantly alters the economic calculus of H-1B hiring, prompting more inquiries into nearshore solutions.
Looking Ahead: Conditions for Growth
Steve Taplin states that if the fee continues through the March 2026 H-1B lottery cycle, nearshore demand could become more apparent and may speed up as companies finalize budgets and modify hiring strategies.