Trump’s Professional Visa Policy, South Korean Reactions and a Watchful Mood

 

Overview of the Issue

The Trump administration recently issued a striking executive order regarding professional visas (such as H-1B). The order proposes raising visa application fees from around $1,000 to an astonishing $100,000 (roughly 100 million KRW). The measure is presented as part of a policy to protect U.S. jobs and prioritize “high-value talent.”

At the same time, an incident in Georgia where hundreds of Korean workers at a Hyundai–LG battery plant were detained over visa issues added to public unease in South Korea. These developments have shaken public sentiment and raised serious questions about investment and labor mobility.

 

Corporate Reactions

Korean companies view the measure as a tangible investment risk rather than a mere administrative change.

• Dispatching technical personnel needed for U.S. plant construction and operations has effectively become more difficult.
• The $100,000 fee would sharply raise corporate costs and increase uncertainty over project timelines.
• Within some firms, cautious voices have begun urging a reassessment of investment strategies.

In short, the policy is seen as a factor that could undermine the stability of large-scale overseas investments, not just an issue of individual employment.

 

Public Sentiment

Public opinion in South Korea breaks down into three main currents.

1. Anxious Trust

Students and professionals express anxiety that opportunities for working in the U.S. may be blocked. At the same time, many prefer to wait calmly, believing that the president and government will manage the situation diplomatically.

2. Growing Distrust of the U.S.

While there are some calls for tough responses, the broader climate has not hardened into demands for extreme measures like tariff retaliation. Rather, a more pervasive sentiment is emerging: “the U.S. is becoming an unreliable partner,” and questions are rising about whether close cooperation can continue as before.

3. A Watchful, Non-Alarmed Attitude

Many South Koreans interpret this policy as the product of domestic U.S. politics. Since criticism inside the United States has intensified and the Trump administration has stepped back from the most extreme posture, a sizeable portion of the public now feels there is no need to overreact. The prevailing mood is to observe the situation with measured attention rather than panic.

 

Expert Assessments

Immigration lawyers and policy analysts offer more granular interpretations:

• There is a likelihood that the order would primarily affect new applicants, while existing visa holders and renewals might be exempt.
• The legal feasibility of the $100,000 fee is questionable, and litigation is a real possibility.
• Consequently, many experts urge caution and emphasize that the actual impact depends on how the policy is implemented and whether courts intervene.

 

Outlook

Although the issue initially triggered uncertainty, the fact that domestic criticism in the U.S. has mounted and the administration has moderated its stance means the immediate shock is easing.

• Companies continue to focus on risk management—securing alternative talent, diversifying investments, and quietly reassessing plans.
• Citizens are watching the government’s diplomatic handling with cautious trust, while their perception of the U.S. as a fully reliable partner has been shaken.
• Going forward, the central question will be how sustainable cooperation with the U.S. remains in the medium to long term.

 

Summary: The Trump administration’s visa policy has generated both anxiety and distrust in South Korea, yet the overall mood has become more watchful than alarmed as U.S. domestic pushback has moderated the policy’s immediate force. Companies are calculating investment risks, the public is cautiously trusting the government’s management while reassessing the reliability of the U.S., and policymakers must now consider the long-term implications for investment, diplomacy, and labor mobility.