Netflix co-founder discusses US $100k H-1B tax and H1-B politics

Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings recently made headlines by expressing his support for President Donald Trump’s new $100,000 H-1B visa fee. This move has caused a stir in Silicon Valley, where many have critiqued the policy as detrimental to innovation and startup growth. Hastings believes that the increased fee will ensure that H-1B visas are reserved for high-value jobs, ultimately eliminating the need for a lottery system. It’s worth noting that the fee is a one-time payment for new petitions, not an annual recurring cost.

The H-1B program allows US companies to hire foreign workers for specialized roles, with an annual cap of 85,000 slots available despite a staggering 400,000+ applications. Data shows that nearly half of these applications come from the tech and science fields, with around 30% of the roles offering salaries of $100,000 or less.

What makes Hastings’ stance noteworthy is that he’s a prominent Democratic donor who has previously been critical of Trump. Despite his past statements, he believes that the $100,000 fee could streamline the H-1B process and provide more certainty for high-value job seekers. This endorsement contrasts sharply with the prevailing sentiment in Silicon Valley, where leaders like Elon Musk have vocally opposed the policy changes.

Over the weekend, there was some confusion regarding the structure of the H-1B fees. While Hastings mistakenly described the fee as an annual cost, the White House clarified that it is a one-time payment for new visa petitions, starting with the March 2026 lottery cycle. This clarification came after Trump signed an executive order on Friday, leading to chaos and uncertainty among tech companies and employees.

Major tech players such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Tesla advised H-1B employees to stay in the US or return before the looming deadline on Sunday. This sudden change has created concerns, especially for startups and smaller firms that may struggle to absorb the increased costs of hiring international talent.

While the impact of this policy shift remains to be seen, it has sparked a lively debate within the tech industry. Hastings’ unexpected support for the $100,000 H-1B visa fee has added an intriguing twist to an already contentious issue.