Saturday, March 29, 2025
Big Update for H-1B Visa Holders: Who Will Have to Pay $100,000 and Who Will Be Exempt?
On September 19, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications — a move expected to directly impact thousands of Indian professionals. There had been confusion over who would fall under the scope of this new rule and who might receive exemptions. Now, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued clear guidelines outlining the details. According to the official notice, the new fee will take effect from September 21, 2025.
The new fee will apply to applicants filing on or after September 21, 2025. It will also be applicable to employees working outside the United States without a valid H-1B visa.
In addition, employers filing consular or port-of-entry notification requests for workers, and petitioners whose requests for status change or extension have been denied, will also have to pay the new fee.
Those who currently hold a valid H-1B visa will not be required to pay the $100,000 fee.
Applications submitted before 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 21, 2025, will also be exempt. The fee will not apply to petitions related to amendments, transfers, or extensions of stay within the United States.
The USCIS stated that this rule aims to ensure transparency and compliance in visa sponsorships while discouraging misuse of the H-1B system. Employers seeking rare exemptions must apply separately and justify their eligibility.
This move is seen as part of President Trump’s broader immigration policy changes, which could significantly affect Indian IT professionals and U.S.-based tech firms that rely heavily on skilled foreign workers.
