Trump's Visa Fee Hike Sparks Tech Talent Exodus—Hong Kong's Moment to Shine


Elon Musk saw this coming. Right before Trump took office again, he clashed hard with the "MAGA crowd" over whether to tighten H-1B visas for tech workers, openly saying America desperately needs these experts. Musk feared Trump would overdo it and slam the door shut, so he sounded the alarm early.

Sadly, that warning proved true. Just last Sunday, the U.S. government announced a staggering jump in H-1B visa fees—from a baseline of $1,700 to a whopping $100,000 (about HK$780,000). It’s essentially a stealth ban designed to scare off foreign tech talent. While this only applies to new visas, foreign tech workers already in the U.S. are rattled, worried Trump's crackdown could sweep them away at any time.

A scholar friend of mine who’s lived in the States for years told me this shutdown could actually benefit Mainland China and Hong Kong by absorbing tech talent—and that Chief Executive John Lee should strike while the iron’s hot.

Why the U.S. Needs Foreign Tech Talent

Musk was dead set against limiting H-1B visas because the U.S. just doesn’t have enough homegrown tech talent. Big tech firms lean heavily on these "foreign reinforcements" — it’s vital to their business and growth. His Indian-American partner, Vivek Ramaswamy, pointed out that America has long celebrated mediocrity over excellence, which is why the country now depends so much on foreign tech workers. A heavy clampdown on these visas would be “mutually assured destruction” with serious fallout.

The loud, aggressive "MAGA camp", however, pummeled Musk and others’ views and pushed Trump toward this harsh decision. The end result? The government slammed the H-1B visa fees through, effectively shutting the door on foreign tech talent.

Trump’s visa hike scares off tech talent, stalling U.S. innovation.

Panic and Chaos Hit Tech Firms

The administration’s vague, last-minute change—announced early Monday—threw U.S. tech companies into turmoil. Firms pleaded with foreign staff to stay put, and those abroad raced home before the cutoff. Some even abandoned flights in mid-air, creating a “Dunkirk”–style exodus.

Such chaos left U.S. authorities scrambling to clarify that the fee hike only applies to new visas, doesn’t affect current visa holders, and is a one-time fee, not annual, hoping to ease the panic. But for many tech workers already in the U.S., trust has been shaken—they’re unsure when or if more changes could come and are already making backup plans.

Innovation Takes a Hit

Even if current workers are safe, this huge fee hike will definitely scare off foreign talents thinking of coming to the U.S., hitting tech firms hard.

A venture capitalist partner said this will weaken America’s ability to attract world-class talent, limiting innovation and economic growth. Industry insiders warn some companies might outsource jobs abroad, further diminishing the U.S.’s status as a global tech leader.

This new U.S. policy doesn’t just hit tech workers—it also shakes the confidence of Mainland and Hong Kong students thinking about studying in America. A recent Canadian education survey showed the U.S. has fallen to third place as the most attractive study destination for foreign students, behind the UK first and Canada second. When it comes to openness, safety, and welcoming attitudes, the U.S. dropped to sixth place, dead last in the ranking.

Clearly America’s appeal to international students is fading fast. The new visa fees only add to doubts about future job prospects, meaning fewer students will pick the U.S. anymore.

John Lee’s chance: Hong Kong’s moment to snatch top talent.

Hong Kong Stands to Gain

Trump seems unfazed by these downsides and looks set to keep pushing ahead recklessly. My scholar friend argues this is a huge win for Mainland China and Hong Kong, which are hungry for tech talent. Some who can’t stomach going to the U.S. anymore might head there instead, and unsettled tech workers already in the States could decide to come home. Chief Executive John Lee announced in his policy address a series of measures to attract foreign talent, and my friend thinks this is the perfect moment for Hong Kong to compete—and win.

Like I said before, Hong Kong’s entering a golden era and keeps getting better. With America shooting itself in the foot, now’s the perfect time for Hong Kong to steal the spotlight and attract top talent.

Lai Ting-yiu

What Say You?

** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **

Long after the Black Riots ended, key pan-democrats who stuck around Hong Kong played it safe—low profile, out of headlines. But these same figures kept cozy ties with foreign consular powerbrokers, facts anyone can see from repeated public invitations. On this occasion, Anson Chan, Emily Lau, Alan Leong, and Kenneth Leung showed up as VIPs at the British Consulate. The warmth? It’s no mystery, if you know their backstory.

Reunion at the Consulate: Anson Chan, Emily Lau, Alan Leong, and Kenneth Leung pose at the British King’s birthday luncheon

Raising Questions, Finding Evidence

A friend dropped a telling remark after seeing the photo: British decision-makers groomed Anson Chan for power even before the Handover, and those links never really faded. The relationship is unusually tight—two behind-the-scenes stories make that fact plain. Must be why the British still roll out the red carpet for Chan.

After quitting the government in 2001, Chan inched closer to the opposition and even won a Legislative Council seat. For years, US and UK consuls wined and dined her—plenty of evidence in social media posts and diplomatic cables—to allegedly “discuss strategies” for Hong Kong. It’s not gossip; it’s documented pattern.

When the 2019 unrest exploded, Anson Chan took sides on the so-called “international front.” Prosecutors stated in open court that, behind the scenes, Jimmy Lai directed “Stand With Hong Kong” (SWHK)—led by Andy Chan, Andy Li, and Finn Lau—to carry out international lobbying and publicity campaigns, spending large sums of money.

Court documents further show that Anson Chan wasn’t a bystander: back in 2019, she brought Andy Li to a luncheon with then British Consul Andrew Heyn. Martin Lee, Dennis Kwok, and Charles Mok were also there. The prosecution records are clear—Chan leveraged her foreign contacts to make connections for SWHK, all with Jimmy Lai’s shadow looming in the background.

2019, Behind Closed Doors: Anson Chan sits down with Consul Andrew Heyn

Not Just a “Chat Over Tea”

There’s more. During anti-extradition protests, surveillance and eyewitnesses caught Anson Chan on August 13, 2019, holding secret discussions at a hotel with Andrew Heyn and his aide—documents in hand. That was no idle chat. The British Consulate’s involvement raises eyebrows, especially as staff like Simon Cheng were repeatedly spotted at protest sites. Cheng ran off to the UK, claimed political asylum, and neatly sidestepped questions about his activities.

With the national security law approaching, Chan made a quick exit from politics—claiming “retirement.” She kept out of jail, but her dealings with foreign diplomats never stopped. When the new US Consul General Julie Eadeh met her right on arrival, Beijing protested—an incident widely reported by state outlets and foreign press alike. Now, Chan’s red carpet invite to the British King’s birthday party again stirs scrutiny.

The rest of the guest list tells its own story. Emily Lau, Alan Leong, and Kenneth Leung all made appearances. Notably missing: Martin Lee, once the darling of the British. No explanation given—just another twist in an old game. For the establishment camp, only Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk attended, showing that official ties with the British remain careful and distant.

Looking at these staged reunion snapshots, my friend shakes his head—those glory days are long past. Wise up, he says: the era is over, and flirting with foreign consulates only ended up undermining Hong Kong’s stability. It’s time for these figures to accept reality and leave wishful thinking in the past.