The $100k visa fee that makes offshoring stronger
The market always finds a way — and this time it’s offshore
Hey there,
This week, we’re seeing a lot of changes in who is in charge. Washington thinks a $100,000 visa fee will bring jobs back to the US, but this move will probably push companies to send jobs to other countries.
Regulators want to challenge Google’s hold on ads, but founders can’t wait for that to happen, so it’s time to start looking for new options now.
And at the same time, in Brazil, the government is asking for new rules for Big Tech, showing that the region’s digital economy has now grown enough to have its own rules.
Also, I joined the MIDI podcast to talk about hiring in Latin America. They make tools for paying employees and handling payments in the region, and we talked about why caring about people is as important as skill, why helping new employees get started is often overlooked, and why Latin American talent isn’t just “affordable,” it’s top quality. If you really want to build here, it’s worth a listen.
Let’s get into it.
🌐 News Shortlist
1. The $100k Visa Fee and What It Really Means
Recap: The US just added a $100,000 fee to new H-1B visa applications. The White House says this is to create more American jobs, but here’s the catch: it only affects new applicants, not people who already have the visa.
On the surface, this seems good for US workers. In reality, it will make companies hire people in other countries instead of paying the higher fee. Experts already think India and the Philippines will get more jobs sent their way. But here’s what most people are missing: Latin America is even better placed. The region has great talent, people who understand US culture, strong technical skills, and the big benefit of working in the same time zone.
There’s another angle: companies will not just hire in other countries, they will also use more automation. If a project used to need 10 engineers, now they might try with five and use AI tools to do the rest. Instead of creating more jobs for US graduates, this policy could actually do the opposite: send more jobs overseas, use more automation, and leave fewer jobs for people in the US.
For founders, this shows that talent markets do not get smaller; they just move. If the US makes it harder to hire people, companies will go where it is easier. And if you are building a team now, Latin America is the smart choice: skilled, affordable, and able to work closely with your main office.
Advice:
If you’re leading a company and thinking about how to handle these changes, don’t just react to policy. Look at where you can place talent to actually win. Latin America should be at the top of that list. And if you want to talk through what building in this region looks like, reach out. This is exactly what we do at Lupa. Book a free consultation with me.
2. Google’s Ad Tech Empire on Trial
Recap: The US Department of Justice started a trial that could split up Google’s ad business. Regulators say Google unfairly connected its ad server for publishers to its own ad exchange, which gave it an edge and pushed out competitors. The DOJ wants Google to sell AdX and even make its ad auction software public. Google says that the idea is 'radical and reckless,' and instead suggests making smaller changes to avoid selling parts of its business.
For now, nothing changes: Google Ads and SEO are still important ways to get visitors. But the case highlights something every founder should remember: your marketing tools can’t rely on one big company forever. If regulators reduce Google’s control or if AI search keeps taking attention, things can change quickly.
We’ve already seen this with clients. Generative AI and chat-based search are becoming more important in online strategies, even before regulators take action. And if Google has to open up or sell parts of its ad business, expect new competitors and tools to appear, changing how digital marketing works.
So whether this trial ends with a breakup or just a small penalty, the message is clear: don’t rely on one source for all your website visitors. Google may still lead in ads, but it can be challenged. Getting new customers in the future will be more spread out and involve more trying new things.
Advice:
Use this as a reason to branch out. Focus more on your brand, try out channels that use AI, and grow on platforms you can manage yourself. If you still depend on Google for almost all your growth, you’re risking a big setback.
3. Brazil Takes Aim at Big Tech
Recap: On September 17, President Lula’s government introduced a major new law to Congress. It gives Brazil’s authorities the power to watch over important digital platforms. This means Big Tech companies could have to follow rules about moving data, making their systems work with others, and not favoring their own products, along with facing closer checks when they buy startups. This is the first time something like this has happened in Latin America.
This isn’t just about regulation. It’s a sign of how mature Brazil’s tech market has become. When you start to regulate an industry, it’s because it’s big enough to matter. Brazil has world-class talent, homegrown unicorns, and a digital economy large enough that global giants can’t ignore it.
For founders, there are two main lessons. First, if you’re working in Brazil, get ready for more paperwork and rules. You’ll need to follow guidelines that are closer to Europe’s standards than those of less regulated markets. Second, if you’re building anywhere else in Latin America, this is a preview of what’s coming. As tech communities expand, governments will step in. This isn’t a negative sign; it means the market is growing, becoming more stable, and offering more opportunities.
Looking at the bigger picture, Brazil wants to be a leader in the region. Other governments in Latin America will pay close attention, and startups need to get ready for a future where rules about data, competition, and making systems work together are required, not just nice to have.
Advice:
Try not to view this as a risk. Instead, see it as validation. Brazil is regulating Big Tech because the market is strong enough to need it. If you’re considering hiring or expanding there, it’s a good sign that you’ll find both talent and opportunity.
🔎 Remote Jobs Shortlist
These are some of the new openings my clients have this week.
You might not be hiring right now, but checking out the roles top companies are posting can give you a sense of where things are headed. Take a look at the full list here.
1. Human Resources Manager
This growing company is ready to improve how it manages its people and needs an experienced HR leader to set up the team from scratch. You’ll handle hiring, training, and team culture for a team that works in different locations, with a special focus on sales jobs in the US.
This is an active role where you’ll create programs to welcome new team members, help the team grow, and start the company’s first official plan for team culture. If you have over 5 years of HR leadership and want to help shape a team, this is your chance.
💵 $2,000 - $2,500 USD/month
📍 Latin America Remote
2. Technical Operations Specialist
This team is scaling fast and needs someone to keep the systems clean, connected, and running smoothly. You’ll be the right hand to the Head of Technology, owning daily automations and integrations across sales, marketing, and support.
Your work will include setting up campaigns, helping new users get started, making dashboards, checking for quality, and keeping records. The job involves working with many teams. If you like solving problems by digging deep, this is your kind of role.
💵 $2,500 - $3,000 USD/month
📍 Latin America Remote
3. Client Product Specialist
This startup is creating new, easy-to-use tools for financial services, and they’re looking for someone who can connect what clients need with what the team delivers.
You’ll turn feedback from banks and financial companies into clear tasks, keep track of what needs to be done, help plan work, and work closely with the product and engineering teams to meet goals. You need to be organized, know about financial products, and be comfortable using tools like Linear and Notion.
💵 $2,500 - $3,000 USD/month
📍 Latin America Remote
That’s it for this week.
Visa fees don’t save jobs; they just move them elsewhere. Antitrust cases don’t destroy Google; they remind us to try new things. Brazil making rules for Big Tech is not a bad sign; it shows the market is strong enough to need rules.
For founders, the question is always the same: where do you put your bets so they work? Talent, growth, regulation… the winners are those who place them in the right spot.
Until next time,
Joseph Burns
CEO & Founder, Lupa