The $100K Question: What Employers Should Know About H-1B vs J-1 Visa in 2025

A 2025 guide for U.S. employers deciding between the H-1B and J-1 visa when hiring international talent 

A 1,900% to 4,900% increase. 

That’s how much H-1B visa costs surged when President Trump introduced a $100,000 petition fee for skilled foreign workers seeking to enter the U.S. (Previously, applicants paid just $2,000 to $5,000.) 

It adds up when some of the country’s largest organizations depend on these workers to keep operations going. In FY25, Amazon had more than 10,000 of these staff members on payroll, while the rest of the top 25 companies using H-1Bs employed between 1,100 and 5,500. (That includes names like Apple, Google, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and Fidelity, to name a few.) 

Some businesses may be able to meet that fee increase, but many others will need to rethink their hiring strategies when it comes to skilled workers. 

That’s where another visa – the J-1 – comes in. 

Consider this: 

• The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.
• The J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for individuals who are approved to participate in work-and study-based exchange visitor programs in the U.S. 

If they sound like they have similarities, it's because they do. 

H-1B Visa and J-1 Visa Comparison 

Learn more about what the J-1 visa can offer you if hiring H-1B employees is no longer a viable option for your company. 

While those who come to the U.S. on an H-1B visa have more established careers, the international talent who want to work in the U.S. on a J-1 intern or trainee visa do have knowledge in their fields: 

• Interns from a J-1 visa program are either enrolled in a postsecondary institution or have graduated no more than 12 months prior to their start date.
• Trainees from a J-1 visa program may have either a degree or certificate from an academic institution and at least one year of related work experience or a minimum of five years of related work experience in their training field. 

An international intern has most recently been in the academic world, where they’ve picked up the latest industry learnings from real-world experts, according to the U.S. Department of State. They’re also incredibly excited to boost their resume and motivated to develop their skill set. 

Trainees are entry-level professionals, with at least one year of experience, according to the State Department. They’re seeking exposure to the American workforce, contributing to both the U.S. economy and local community – as well as bringing their expanded expertise back to their home country. 

Next Steps for Employers 

Interested in bringing international interns or trainees to your organization? The BridgeUSA program is the perfect solution for project-based assignments. 

To get started, speak with a CIEE representative after you fill out the contact form.  

CIEE will guide you through every step – from connecting you with pre-vetted candidates to handling the paperwork – so you can focus on welcoming your new international hire. 

Explore CIEE BridgeUSA Intern and Trainee programs to simplify the process.