The White House's announcement of new visa fees has caused confusion among companies and foreign professionals. We've pulled together all the key facts to explain who the $100,000 H-1B visa fee applies to, how it will work, and what the implications will be for businesses and workers

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In September 2025, the Donald Trump administration introduced a new immigration initiative – a fee of $100,000 for applying for an H-1B visa. This decision immediately caused a wave of discussions in Silicon Valley, among employers and potential applicants. In this article, we will understand what is changing, who will be affected by the innovation and what consequences it will have for the US labor market.

Starting October 16, 2025, the US will introduce a new fee of $1 for all participants in the green card lottery (Diversity Visa). Read here why it was introduced, how it will affect applicants and what you need to consider before participating in DV-2027.

Planning to work or study in the US on an H-1B visa? Take care not only of your documents, but also of your health insurance. The policy will protect you from unforeseen medical expenses and help you adapt faster in a new country.

$100,000 H-1B Visa Fee – What Does It Mean?

The Trump administration has announced a new $100,000 fee for filing an H-1B visa application, a program that allows U.S. companies to hire foreign professionals in fields such as IT, healthcare, engineering and education.

The proclamation, which took effect immediately after it was signed, on September 21, 2025, caused panic among hundreds of thousands of H-1B visa holders, especially in the technology sector. However, the next day, the White House clarified: the fee only applies to new petitions, not existing holders or renewals.

What is an H-1B visa in the United States?

The H-1B is a type of U.S. visa that allows companies to hire foreign workers in skilled occupations such as IT, healthcare, and engineering. The program has been in place since 1990, and was introduced by President George H.W. Bush to attract highly skilled foreign workers to the United States.

The visa allows companies to hire foreigners in “specialized occupations” that require at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.

The initial term is 3 years, with the option to extend for up to 6 years.

Each year, Congress caps the number of visas at 85,000. The selection is made through a lottery.

According to FWD.us, as of 2025, there will be about 730,000 H-1B holders and another 550,000 dependents (spouses and children) living in the United States.

Read more about the H1B visa in the United States in this article.

What changes to the H-1B visa process did Trump announce?

Previously, the cost of an H-1B visa ranged from $1,700 to $4,500, depending on whether the visa was expedited. To participate, companies paid a $215 application fee and then, if selected, thousands more in filing fees and legal fees.

The Trump administration in September 2025 imposed a one-time fee of $100,000 for new H-1B petitions. Employers, not workers, would have to pay the fee.

The fee is intended to curb “abuse” of the program, including undercutting wages and outsourcing American jobs. In the words of U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, “Either the person is valuable enough to be worth the investment, or the company will hire an American.”

Trump added that the funds from the fee will go to reduce taxes and the US debt.

About the new rules for interviews for non-immigrant visas in the US in this article.

Which sectors will suffer the most from the introduction of the new visa fee?

The hardest hit innovation hit the technology sector, because it is traditionally the largest user of the H-1B program. The first reports of the new fee caused concern in Silicon Valley: some companies even urged their employees to temporarily refrain from traveling abroad due to uncertainty about the procedure.

The H-1B program is critical for STEM industries (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). About two-thirds of all jobs under this visa are related to computer specialties. According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, in 2024 the largest employers of H-1B holders were Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and Apple.

Interestingly, many well-known technology leaders have received this visa in the past. Among them are Elon Musk, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

At the same time, the H-1B is not limited to the IT sector. American employers also actively use it to attract foreign teachers and medical professionals who fill shortages in education and healthcare.

Why is the US massively rejecting immigration applications starting August 21, 2025? Details at the link.

9 Key Facts About the New H-1B Visa Fee in the US

H-1B visa applicants in the US need to be clear about the following changes to the permit process:

- The $100,000 is not an annual fee

This is a one-time fee related only to the initial petition. Existing holders do not need to pay anything.

- Existing visa holders are safe

Those who already have H-1Bs retain all rights to work and travel. There are no additional costs for them.

- Applies only to new applicants

Visa renewals and extensions remain free of charge.

- Effective date

The new rules only apply to applications filed after September 21, 2025.

- No travel restrictions

Those currently outside the US can return without any changes to the procedure.

- Financial burden on employers

The $100,000 fee is paid by sponsoring companies. They are required to provide proof of payment.

- Possible exceptions

In rare cases, the government can waive the fee if it is in the “national interest.”

- Inspections and fines

For failure to pay the fee, employers face inspections, fines, and even a ban on the employee from entering the country.

- Future wage changes

The minimum wage for H-1Bs is expected to increase and priority for high-paid applicants is given.

Global reaction to the introduction of the H-1B visa fee

- Economists warn that the fee could slow the US economy and cause a “brain drain.”

- India (the largest recipient of H-1Bs) has stated humanitarian risks for families.

- Silicon Valley has sent internal letters to employees advising them not to leave the US while the confusion continues.

- Netflix (Reed Hastings) has supported the decision, believing that it will eliminate the lottery and improve the quality of applicants.

- Politicians: Even among Democrats and Republicans, the H-1B program has long had critics, such as Senator Bernie Sanders, so this decision has received a lot of support.

What changes to the H-1B visa process can we expect in the future?

- Existing H-1B holders can rest assured that their status will not change.

- New applicants will face huge barriers starting with the 2026 lottery.

- Legal challenges are expected in US courts.

- Business associations, including Nasscom, are already warning of the negative impact on global operations.

The new $100,000 fee for an H-1B visa is a radical move by the Trump administration. It is aimed at reducing the number of foreign workers in the United States and encouraging companies to hire Americans. If you already have an H-1B visa, the changes will not affect you. If you are planning to apply for the first time, prepare for significantly higher costs and competition. Companies will have to decide whether a candidate is really valuable enough to invest such funds in him. This policy can seriously change the US labor market and the balance of interests between American and foreign specialists.

The new rules for the H-1B visa in the US create additional financial and legal barriers for companies and specialists. To avoid errors when submitting documents, minimize the risk of rejection and properly prepare for the new requirements, it is worth contacting professional immigration lawyers. Specialists will help:

- Assess your chances of obtaining an H-1B in 2026;

- Prepare a complete package of documents, taking into account new fees and possible exceptions;

- Support the process in case of inspections or appeals;

- Provide advice to companies planning to employ foreign specialists.

Turning to immigration lawyers can be a decisive factor in ensuring that your investments in the visa process are not in vain.

Reminder! Do you dream of studying in the USA and do not know where to start? Read here how to enter US universities in 2026: choosing an educational institution, average tuition and living costs, scholarships for foreigners, a list of required documents and features of F-1 and M-1 student visas.

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