What H-1B visa fee hike means for Bangladeshi dreamers in America

There's something almost magnetic about America that continues to draw ambitious minds from Bangladesh. Perhaps it's the stories we hear of garage start-ups becoming billion-dollar companies, or the way Silicon Valley transforms wild ideas into reality or lucrative jobs in the STEM fields with unmatched salary and perks. The numbers don't lie-American investors funnel over US$ 240 billion into start-ups annually, creating an ecosystem where innovation thrives like nowhere else on earth.

Walk through any top American university campus today and you'll hear Bengali conversations in corridors, see familiar faces hunched over laptops in libraries. The latest figures show a remarkable story: over 17,000 Bangladeshi students are currently studying in American institutions, representing a staggering 300 per cent increase over the past decade. Back in 2013-14, we had fewer than 5,000 students there. Today's number reflects not just growing prosperity back home, but an unshakeable belief that America remains the place where careers are made and futures are forged.

For many families, securing that American student visa represents far more than just education. It's seen as the golden ticket to a better life. The plan is often straightforward: study hard, graduate, find sponsorship for an H-1B visa, and build a career in the world's largest economy.

But last Friday the Trump administration changed everything.

Announcement of US$ 100,000 fee on H1B applications: On Friday, September 19 2025, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation that sent shockwaves through international student communities worldwide. Companies wanting to hire H-1B workers must now pay a staggering US$ 100,000 fee per year for each sponsored employee. This isn't a one-time payment-it's an annual commitment that effectively prices out all but the most desperate employers or largest corporations.

The justification is familiar: protecting American jobs from what the administration calls "abuse" of the H-1B system. Critics have long argued that some companies use the programme to replace local workers with cheaper foreign alternatives. Whether you agree with this narrative or not, the practical impact is undeniable—H-1B sponsorship has just become prohibitively expensive for most employers, specially discouraging entry level hiring by businesses.

For Bangladeshi students banking on H-1B sponsorship after graduation, this represents a fundamental shift in strategy. The pathway hasn't disappeared entirely, but it's now reserved for truly exceptional cases or the very largest tech giants with deep pockets. It just means we need to be smarter about how we pursue it.

Starting from home--the Remote Revolution: Here's something the pandemic taught us: geography matters less than talent. American companies have become remarkably comfortable hiring brilliant minds regardless of where they physically sit. This creates an intriguing opportunity for Bangladeshi graduates to flip the traditional script.

Instead of moving to America first and then proving your worth, consider proving your worth first and then moving to America. Spend a year or two working remotely for US companies from Dhaka, if possible. Show them what you can do. Become indispensable. When visa applications eventually come up, you're not just another CV in a pile, you're someone they already trust and depend on.This might just work for tech professionals but not all other professionals where remote work is well accepted and rewarding.

This approach has another advantage: by the time you do relocate, you're likely to command a higher salary. Employers are more willing to invest in someone who's already demonstrated value rather than taking a punt on an unknown quantity.

Making the most of your student years: If you're already studying in America, or planning to, understanding the OPT system becomes crucial. Optional Practical Training gives you up to 12 months of legal employment after graduation in a field related to your degree. For STEM graduates, there's an additional 24-month extension available. That's nearly three years of legitimate work experience-use them wisely.

These aren't just gap years to fill; they're strategic opportunities to build networks, strengthen your CV, and perhaps most importantly, position yourself for alternative visa categories like O-1 or L-1. The work must relate to your studies, but within that framework, the possibilities are extensive.

Here's a clever route many overlook: cap-exempt employers. Universities, non-profit research institutions, and government laboratories aren't subject to H-1B quotas. For a graduate researcher or engineer, this path offers stability without the lottery stress that comes with traditional H-1B applications. However, it is still unclear if this new rule affect the cap-exempt employers too.

The extraordinary ability route: The O-1 visa sounds intimidating but it's designed for individuals with "extraordinary ability" in sciences, business, or arts. But before you dismiss it, understand that "extraordinary" doesn't mean Nobel Prize-level achievement. Many young entrepreneurs have successfully obtained O-1 visas by demonstrating their start-ups show genuine promise and recognition.

Getting into a prestigious accelerator can be transformative here. Programmes like Y Combinator, Techstars, or 500 Global serve as powerful endorsements. Admission alone signals to immigration officers that serious people have evaluated your potential and found it worthy of investment. For a Bangladeshi founder developing innovative software or hardware solutions, accelerator backing can provide the credibility needed for O-1 approval.

The investment pathway: The E-2 visa allows entrepreneurs from treaty countries to invest in and operate US businesses. Here's the rub: Bangladesh doesn't have a treaty with America. However, some entrepreneurial individuals have found alternative routes by obtaining citizenship in treaty nations like Grenada or Turkey through their investment programmes.

It's complex and requires significant capital, but the E-2 offers something H-1B cannot: complete autonomy. You're not dependent on employer sponsorship; you control your own destiny. Whether it's a restaurant, consultancy, or technology venture, the E-2 has enabled countless businesses to flourish on American soil.

Building your own bridge—the L-1 strategy: The L-1 visa fascinates me because it rewards entrepreneurship and genuine business building. If you can establish a successful company in Bangladesh and then create a legitimate US subsidiary, you can transfer yourself to lead the American operation.

This isn't about paper companies or immigration tricks. It requires real business substance. You need actual clients, genuine revenue, legitimate staff, and credible expansion plans. But for entrepreneurs who can demonstrate this track record, L-1 offers a pathway that doesn't depend on lotteries or employer whims.

Imagine running a successful software development firm in Dhaka that serves American e-commerce companies. Opening a US office and applying for L-1 might be far more realistic than chasing increasingly expensive H-1B sponsorship.

What this means for Bangladesh's global profile: The irony in the recentmost H-1B changes might actually benefit Bangladesh in the long run. If visa barriers push our brightest minds towards entrepreneurship rather than employment, we might see more Bangladeshi founders on the global stage rather than just employees in someone else's company.

This shift could transform how Bangladesh is perceived internationally. Instead of being known primarily for textile manufacturing and remittances, we might become recognised for innovation and entrepreneurship. Those who successfully navigate alternative visa routes often end up building companies that employ people both in America and back home, creating a positive cycle of brain circulation rather than simple brain drain.

Let's be honest about what this announcement means. The US$ 100,000 annual H-1B fee isn't just expensive, it's prohibitive for most employers. Only the largest corporations or those desperately needing specialised talent will shoulder such costs. For everyone else, H-1B has effectively been priced out of reach.

This reality demands strategic thinking. Bangladeshi students must enter the American education system with multiple pathways in mind. Relying solely on H-1B sponsorship is no longer viable for most. But America's entrepreneurial ecosystem, research opportunities, and alternative visa categories remain as compelling as ever.

The rules have changed, but the fundamental opportunities haven't disappeared. America still invests more in start-ups than anywhere else. Its universities still conduct world-leading research. Its venture capital system still turns ideas into industries.

Success now requires more creativity and strategic planning. Build remote work experience before relocating. Use OPT and STEM OPT periods strategically. Target cap-exempt employers. Pursue accelerator programmes to strengthen O-1 applications. Study E-2 and L-1 options seriously if you have entrepreneurial ambitions.

The path from a Dhaka classrooms to a Silicon Valley offices still exists. It's just no longer a straight line through H-1B sponsorship. For those willing to adapt their strategies and think creatively about their careers, America remains what it's always been: the place where ambitious people go to turn their biggest dreams into reality.

The game has toughened, but it hasn't ended. For Bangladesh's brightest minds, that might just make the triumphs even bigger.

oishikhan18@gmail.com