Trump Imposes $100,000 Fee on H-1B Visas; White House Clarifies Existing Holders Not Affected

US President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions, affecting companies sponsoring non-immigrant skilled workers. The move, part of a broader immigration overhaul, initially caused confusion among workers and employers, particularly in India, which historically accounts for the majority of H-1B recipients.

White House clarification

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed on X that:

• Current H-1B visa holders, even if outside the US, will not be charged the $100,000 fee.

• The fee applies only to new visa petitions, not renewals or existing holders.

Impact and concerns

The US Chamber of Commerce warned the policy could disrupt employees, families, and employers:

“We’re concerned about the impact on employees, their families, and employers. We’re working with the Administration to understand the implications and the best path forward.”

Indians are expected to be most affected, receiving 71% of the 399,395 H-1B visas approved in 2024, followed by China at 11.7%. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has responded to the move with a formal statement.

Key details of the fee

• Effective date: September 21, 2025

• Purpose: To restrict entry of certain non-immigrant workers and address alleged misuse of the H-1B system.

• Scope: H-1B visas allow companies to sponsor skilled professionals, such as engineers and programmers, for an initial three-year period, extendable to six years.

• Requirement: H-1B petitions must include the $100,000 fee to be considered valid; non-compliant petitions will be denied.

Corporate advisories

After the announcement, tech giants including Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Alphabet instructed employees abroad to return to the US ahead of the deadline.

Administration rationale

Trump described abuses of the H-1B program as a “national security threat,” citing investigations into outsourcing firms heavily dependent on foreign skilled labor. The White House stated that employers must document fee payment before filing petitions for workers outside the US.