Does your company depend on Visas to grow your Global Team?

For more than three decades, this visa has been a key mechanism for global companies, especially in technology, engineering, and healthcare, to hire highly skilled foreign professionals. The new measure, effective September 21, 2025, requires all new H-1B visa applications to include a payment of USD 100,000 (USCIS, 2025). According to the White House, the purpose is to “raise prevailing wage levels, reduce system abuses, and prioritize the entry of higher-skilled foreign workers” (White House Fact Sheet, 2025). 

But what does this mean in practice? For many global companies, it represents a sharp increase in international hiring costs and greater uncertainty when planning global teams. 

What changed in the H-1B visa in 2025? 

According to USCIS: 

1. All new H-1B visa applications filed on or after September 21, 2025, must include an additional USD 100,000 fee. 
   2. This measure does not apply to renewals or visas issued before that date (USCIS FAQ, 2025). 
   3. The State Department confirmed that existing H-1B visas will not be revoked, and renewals remain under prior conditions (State.gov, 2025).
   4. The government may grant exemptions in cases of “national interest.” 

Impact on global technology companies 

Companies relying on international talent, particularly startups and multinationals in software, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, now face: 

• Higher costs: the USD 100,000 fee per new petition significantly increases the cost of global recruitment. 

• Greater uncertainty: depending on a lottery and new wage filters complicates workforce planning. 

• Lower attractiveness of the H-1B: for many businesses, this visa is no longer an efficient route to access skilled foreign professionals. 

What alternatives do companies have to the H-1B visa? 

Given the new scenario created by the U.S. government’s measure, companies must evaluate more efficient solutions. This is where Latin America emerges as a strategic answer. There are three main models that allow businesses to hire tech talent faster and more cost-effectively:

Why Latin America is the best alternative 

Latin America offers unique competitive advantages for global companies looking to hire tech talent without relying on costly visa programs, such as the H-1B: 

1. Geographic and cultural proximity to North America and Europe, making collaboration seamless.
2. Compatible time zones, enabling real-time collaboration for remote teams worldwide.
3. Growing tech ecosystem: according to GitHub and Stack Overflow, the region is one of the fastest-growing software development hubs worldwide.
4. Competitive costs, without the impact of high immigration fees or relocation expenses. 

How Ongresso supports companies beyond the H-1B 

At Ongresso, we support international organizations seeking to expand in Latin America or hire regional talent without facing H-1B barriers. Our portfolio combines legal, HR, and corporate expansion solutions: 

1. Employer of Record (EOR) in Latin America 
   Through our EOR service, companies can hire employees across the region’s most relevant markets without creating a local entity. 
   
   • We act as the legal employer, managing payroll, benefits, social security, and taxes. 
   • We ensure full compliance with local regulations in every country, reducing legal risks. 
   • We allow companies to focus on growing their global teams, while we handle all HR administration. 
     
     
2. Outsourcing of tech and administrative talent
   Many organizations need to scale quickly. With our outsourcing model, we support hiring for: 
   
   • Tech profiles: software developers, data engineers, AI specialists, cybersecurity experts, UX/UI designers. 
   • Administrative and support roles: accounting, HR, project management, customer service. 
     
     

   This gives our clients access to highly skilled, cost-effective talent, without the challenges of U.S. immigration. 

   
   
3. Entity incorporation and legal advisory in the region
   For companies with ambitious expansion plans, Ongresso offers end-to-end support in establishing legal entities in Latin America. 

• Guidance on the best legal structure (e.g., S.A.S., S.R.L., etc.). 
• Advisory on tax, accounting, and regulatory matters across the region. 
• A long-term strategic partnership to ensure secure, efficient, and sustainable expansion. 

The new USD 100,000 fee per H-1B visa application marks a turning point in how global companies approach international hiring strategies. 

Faced with these barriers, Latin America emerges as the most practical and cost-effective alternative: abundant tech talent, competitive costs, and reliable legal frameworks through models like Employer of Record (EOR), outsourcing, or company incorporation. 

At Ongresso, we already support 50+ international companies building their technology and administrative teams from Latin America. We connect your organization with the talent and infrastructure you need to expand successfully in the region. 

Ready to explore how to hire in Latin America without relying on costly visas? Contact us today