New $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Sparks Immediate Confusion, Travel Warnings

The Trump administration’s new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, which officially took effect on September 21, 2025, is causing widespread confusion among immigrant workers and their employers. The substantial new charge, announced via a presidential proclamation, represents a dramatic shift for the 35-year-old program crucial to the technology and financial sectors.

Despite White House clarifications over the weekend that the one-time fee applies only to new visa applications and not current H-1B holders or renewals, significant uncertainty persists. This ambiguity led some major tech companies, including Google and Microsoft, to instruct traveling H-1B employees to return to the U.S. immediately, fearing re-entry issues without the hefty payment.

Immigration attorneys confirm the ongoing “great degree of uncertainty on the ground.” While employers typically cover H-1B application fees, the additional $100,000 — roughly ten times the previous cost — is expected to deter many, aligning with the White House’s stated goal of prioritizing American workers.

A key concern for current H-1B holders revolves around travel, especially if they are also applying for extensions or employer changes. Although the White House maintains the fee doesn’t impact existing visa holders’ travel, the phrasing in a September 21 FAQ has lawyers advising extreme caution. “Until we have more clarification… we’re telling people to just sit tight and not travel,” stated Jeff Joseph, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

The new fee is anticipated to have a “chilling effect” on skilled foreign workers seeking opportunities in the U.S., impacting industries beyond tech, such as healthcare, which relies on H-1B visas to address shortages. The proclamation also includes a national security exemption, but details on its application remain entirely unclear, adding another layer of complexity to the sudden policy change.

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