The United States’ decision to significantly increase the application fee for the H-1B visa has sparked widespread concern among African professionals and analysts, who warn that the move could hinder talent mobility and innovation. Last month, the US administration announced a sharp rise in the visa fee from a few thousand dollars to a flat $100,000, payable by employers at the time of filing. The H-1B visa, which allows highly skilled foreign professionals to live and work in the US for up to six years, is a critical pathway for African talent seeking opportunities abroad. However, the new fee structure has been criticized as a barrier that could disproportionately affect smaller companies and startups, while also discouraging African professionals from pursuing opportunities in the US. James Shikwati, director of the Inter Region Economic Network, a Nairobi-based think tank, noted that the policy could stifle innovation in the US and disrupt global talent exchange. He emphasized that the higher fee might push Africa’s youthful workforce toward other regions, accelerating the continent’s digital transformation. Melha Rout Biel, founder of the Institute for Strategic and Policy Studies in South Sudan, described the move as unfair, arguing that it could deter mobility and ultimately harm the US, which relies on immigrants to address its aging population and low birth rates. Analysts also highlighted the potential impact on industries such as healthcare and education, which depend on H-1B visas to fill critical roles. The American Immigration Council reported that over 2.8 million Black immigrants were part of the US workforce in 2022, supporting fast-growing sectors. The fee hike could slow future inflows from Africa, further complicating the US’s labor market dynamics. Meanwhile, experts like Dieudonne Dany Mbarga, a financial analyst in Ghana, suggested that the policy might encourage African professionals to explore opportunities closer to home, leveraging initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area to drive regional competition and growth.