$100,000 H-1B Visa fee for new applicants and not current holders, confirms White House amid confusion
The clarification confirms that the steep fee will affect only new petitions submitted on or after 12:01 a.m. Sunday, while existing visa holders remain exempt.
PTC News Desk: The White House clarified that the new USD 100,000 (over ₹88 lakh) H-1B visa application fee, introduced under President Donald Trump’s directive, will apply only to fresh applications and not to petitions filed before September 21 (Sunday). Trump’s order, titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Non-immigrant Workers”, which significantly raises the cost of H-1B applications, had triggered widespread concern and uncertainty among foreign workers—especially Indians, who account for the bulk of H-1B visa holders.
The clarification confirms that the steep fee will affect only new petitions submitted on or after 12:01 a.m. Sunday, while existing visa holders remain exempt.
"This is NOT an annual fee. It’s a one-time fee that applies only to the petition. H-1B visa holders can leave and re-enter the country to the same extent as they normally would; whatever ability they have to do that is not impacted by yesterday’s proclamation," she wrote.
"This applies only to new visas, not renewals, and not current visa holders. It will first apply in the next upcoming lottery cycle," she said.
TRUMP’S DECISION CREATES ANXIETY AMONG H-1B HOLDERS
The announcement initially fueled panic, with immigration lawyers and technology firms warning that H-1B professionals currently overseas could be stranded if they failed to return before the deadline. Many feared the $100,000 charge might also be applied to re-entry cases.