H-1B Visa Fees Hike: Deadline ends, $100,000 fee now effective amid concerns

by: Lalchand » Published: 2025-09-21

H-1B Visa Fees Hike News - US President Donald Trump has issued a sweeping order imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas. Since Indians make up the majority of H-1B visa holders, the move has sparked widespread concern. The White House has clarified that this rule applies only to new applicants.

H-1B Visa Fees Hike

US President Donald Trump has signed a new order imposing a fee of $100,000 on H-1B visas, restricting the entry of some non-immigrant workers. In this article, I am going to provide information related to H-1B Visa Fees Hike, Deadline, H-1B Visa New Fee, H-1B Visa Fees 2025, H1B visa cost from India, H1B visa cost to employer, H1B visa fees 2025, etc.

$100K Visa Fee Rule Takes Effect Today

H-1B visa fees news - The $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas comes into force at 12:01 a.m. ET Sunday (9:31 am IST). The measure is set to remain in place for one year but may be extended if the US government decides it serves national interest.

H-1B Visa Fees 2025

The Trump administration's immigration reform has caused confusion among immigrant workers, prompting the White House to clarify on Saturday that the measure applies only to new applicants. Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt said in a post on X, "Those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently outside the country will not be charged $100,000 for re-entry. This applies only to new visas, not renewals, and not to existing visa holders."

Meanwhile, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has expressed concern and warned that Trump's new H-1B visa rule could impact workers, their families, and employers. We are concerned about the impact on workers, their families, and employers," the agency said in a statement. "We are working with the administration and our members to understand the full implications and the best path forward.

This move is expected to have the greatest impact on India, as Indians received 71 percent of the 399,395 H-1B visas approved in 2024, while China received only 11.7 percent. Historically, India has also dominated the number of H-1B visa recipients. India has reacted to this move, with the Ministry of External Affairs issuing a statement.

What are H-1B visas?

H-1B visas allow companies to sponsor foreign workers with specialised skills – such as scientists, engineers, and computer programmers – to work in the US, initially for three years, but extendable to six years.

H-1B Visa Fees Date

A press release of the presidential action shared on the White House website states new rule over H-1B visas comes into effect on September 21.

H-1b Visa fee $100,000

Titled "Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers," the proclamation mandates that H-1B petitions must be accompanied by the $100,000 payment to be considered valid. Petitions not meeting this requirement will be denied, and workers associated with the sponsor companies will be barred from entering the US.

Key Points from the USCIS Guidelines:

  • The rule applies only to petitions that have not yet been filed.
  • It does not apply to beneficiaries of petitions filed before September 21, 2025.
  • It does not apply to beneficiaries of currently approved petitions.
  • It does not apply to those with validly issued H-1B visas.
  • Current visa holders can continue to travel to and from the US without impact.
  • The department also urged the officers to ensure all decisions are consistent with this guidance.

Amazon, Meta, Microsoft issue advisories

After Trump dropped the $100,000 H-1B visa bombshell, Microsoft led in issuing an advisory to its employees to return to the stay in the US and return in a day if they're outside ahead of a looming deadline. Amazon, Alphabet Inc., and Meta followed suit. JP Morgan also issued a similar advisory.

Can H-1B visa holders re-enter the US as deadline ends?

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified on X that H-1B visa holders can leave and re-enter the US as they normally would. She emphasized that the newly announced $100,000 fee applies only to new applicants in the next H-1B lottery, and does not affect current visa holders or renewals.

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