In a major shift to U.S. immigration policy, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on September 19, 2025, introducing a one-time fee of $100,000 on new H-1B visa petitions. This new rule became effective at 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 21, 2025, and is set to last for 12 months unless extended. The fee applies only to new visa applicants filing petitions from outside the United States and does not affect current visa holders or those applying for renewals.
The White House clarified after initial confusion that the $100,000 charge is a one-time fee per new petition, not an annual cost. The policy aims to curb perceived abuses of the H-1B program and encourage American companies to prioritize hiring domestic workers before resorting to foreign talent. However, waivers are possible if a particular hiring is deemed in the “national interest,” with the Secretary of Homeland Security authorized to determine exceptions for specific industries or companies.
India, the largest beneficiary of the H-1B visa program accounting for around 71% of recipients, expressed concerns about the impact of this fee hike. Major technology firms, immigration attorneys, and affected workers voiced worries over the policy’s ambiguity, increased costs, and potential loss of global talent to other countries.
Tech giants such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Google advised their H-1B employees to reconsider international travel until further guidance was issued to avoid complications. Despite the high fee, the government maintains the policy will not impact current H-1B visa holders, whether inside or outside the U.S.
This $100,000 application fee marks one of the most significant changes to the H-1B visa program in recent years. While its intention is to protect U.S. workers and reduce misuse of the visa system, there remain concerns about balancing cost, clarity, and fairness, as well as preserving the United States as a global destination for highly skilled immigrants.
In the coming months, how companies, visa applicants, and government agencies adapt to this policy will be closely watched, as its effects ripple across the U.S. economy and immigration landscape.
