Sele Media Africa www.selemedia.org Reported by Amos Dachung – Sele Media Africa Reporter
White House: 100,000 H‑1B Visa Fee Will Apply Only to New Applicants
Washington, D.C. The White House has clarified that a newly introduced100,000 fee on H‑1B visa applications will apply only to new applicants, not to current H‑1B visa holders or those seeking renewals. The announcement follows confusion and concern among visa holders internationally. The fee is one‑time and applies per petition for new H‑1B visa applications. It does not apply annually. Individuals who already hold valid H‑1B visas will not be required to pay the $100,000 fee to re‑enter the U.S., even if they are currently outside the country. The policy will not affect petitions filed before the policy’s effective date (September 21, 2025). Existing visa holders and those whose applications were submitted earlier are exempt. Many tech companies and foreign workers especially from countries like India, which have large numbers of H‑1B holders reacted with concern over how the fee could disrupt business operations and personal lives. The president’s administration asserts the fee is intended to reduce abuses in the H‑1B program, discourage displacement of American workers, and ensure that only “highly‑skilled, high‑paid” workers enter via this visa category. The speed and scope of the change have prompted warnings from immigration attorneys and companies that the new rule could create “chaos” due to limited notice and lack of full implementation details.
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