U.S. Imposes $100,000 One-Time Fee on New H-1B Visa Petitions

The White House confirmed that a new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas will take effect Sunday, applying only to new petitions filed by employers for skilled foreign workers. Officials clarified it is a one-time charge per petition, not an annual fee, and will not apply to existing H-1B visa holders re-entering the United States or renewing their status.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that the fee will only impact upcoming H-1B lottery rounds, easing concerns raised after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested it might be annual. Companies including Microsoft, JPMorgan, and Amazon had urged employees to avoid international travel amid the initial confusion. Goldman Sachs also warned staff to proceed cautiously.

The administration said the measure is intended to protect U.S. workers by curbing reliance on lower-paid foreign labor. The proclamation, signed by President Donald Trump, directs the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security to strengthen enforcement, audits, and penalties while revising wage levels to prioritize high-skilled, high-paid H-1B applicants.

Indian IT firms, which send large numbers of professionals to the U.S., warned of major disruption. Industry body Nasscom noted the fee could harm global operations, given that over 65% of recent U.S. IT workers hold H-1B visas, up from 32% in 2003.

The White House added that exemptions from the $100,000 fee may be granted on a case-by-case basis if deemed in the national interest. Reports indicate widespread anxiety among visa holders, with some rushing back to the U.S. to avoid potential complications.

Officials framed the policy as a move to address abuses in the H-1B program, protect American wages, and safeguard national security.