Trump Govt Clarifies $100,000 H-1B Fee Rules, Lists All Exemptions Clearly

Donald Trump administration has issued a detailed clarification on the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee, explaining who must pay and who is exempt. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released guidelines on Monday, aiming to remove confusion around President Trump’s September 19 proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.”

According to the clarification, this hefty visa fee will not apply to everyone. Those who already hold valid H-1B visas, or submitted applications before 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 21, 2025, are fully exempt. Similarly, individuals holding other US visas like F-1 (students) or L-1 (intra-company transfers) will not need to pay the fee if they apply for a status change within the US.

Moreover, the rule does not stop existing H-1B holders from travelling in and out of the country or renewing their status. The $100,000 fee mainly applies to first-time H-1B applicants applying from outside the US, or those found ineligible for visa status changes or extensions by USCIS.

Employers sponsoring such candidates will be responsible for paying the new charge. USCIS has also launched an online payment portal for applicants holding valid fee receipts, allowing them to continue their application process smoothly.