White House clarifies $100,000 H-1B visa fee rules for new applicants

Washington: The White House on Saturday issued a detailed clarification on the newly announced $100,000 fee for H-1B visa petitions, following widespread confusion among immigrant workers and employers. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt released a fact sheet to address doubts after President Donald Trump signed a proclamation a day earlier that imposed the new cost on applications.

Fee applies only to new visas

Leavitt stressed that the charge is not an annual fee and will apply only to new H-1B visa petitions, not renewals or current visa holders. “This applies only to new visas, not renewals, and not current visa holders,” she said. The fee will first come into effect during the next lottery cycle and not for those who have already secured visas in the current cycle, effective 1 October.

The statement clarified that those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently outside the United States will not have to pay the $100,000 fee in order to re-enter the country. Their ability to travel in and out remains unchanged.

White House issues fact sheet

The official fact sheet highlighted four key points:

• The $100,000 payment is a one-time fee that applies only to the petition.

Additionally, the proclamation allows exemptions on a case-by-case basis if an application is deemed in the national interest of the United States.

Trump’s order and rationale

The proclamation, signed on 19 September, is part of Trump’s broader immigration overhaul. It restricts the entry of certain H-1B workers unless their application is accompanied by the $100,000 payment. The White House said the move aims to “curb abuses that displace US workers and undermine national security.”

Although the order is scheduled to expire after a year, it can be extended depending on government review.

Companies advise caution

Major corporations, including Microsoft, Amazon, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs, have already issued internal advisories to employees on H-1B visas. According to emails reviewed by Reuters, firms urged foreign workers to remain in the US and exercise caution with international travel.

A Goldman Sachs memo specifically warned employees to avoid unnecessary trips abroad until the situation becomes clearer.

India reacts with concern

India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday said that the government is “studying the measure” along with Indian industry stakeholders. It raised concerns about the humanitarian consequences of the order, particularly regarding disruption to families of H-1B visa holders.

“Government hopes that these disruptions can be addressed suitably by the US authorities,” the ministry stated.

With more than 70% of H-1B visa holders hailing from India, the order is expected to have significant implications for the Indian IT sector.

Financial impact on Indian IT firms

A Mint analysis noted that the new order could raise visa costs for Indian IT companies drastically. If the five largest firms were to bring a similar number of workers as in the past — about 13,396 people — their collective costs could surge from nearly USD 13.4 million to USD 1.34 billion.

Currently, the application process costs a worker about USD 215, while employers contribute an additional USD 780. The jump to USD 100,000 marks a massive increase in the financial burden of sponsoring skilled workers.

Outlook

The clarification from the White House has provided some relief to current H-1B holders but has left uncertainties for future applicants. While companies and workers brace for the higher costs, Indian authorities continue to engage with the US to address potential disruptions.

Whether the policy will be extended beyond one year remains to be seen, but for now, the burden rests squarely on new applicants, a move that could reshape the landscape of skilled migration to the United States.