USCIS details $100K H-1B fee: applies to overseas applicants; renewals exempt
USCIS says a $100,000 fee will apply to H-1B petitions filed on or after Sept. 21, 2025 for beneficiaries outside the U.S. who do not already hold a valid H-1B visa, while exemptions include amendments, changes of status, extensions of stay and petitions tied to existing valid H-1Bs submitted before Sept. 21, 2025; F-1 graduates changing status inside the U.S. and current H-1B holders traveling abroad are likewise not subject to the fee. The agency has set up an online portal for paying the fee, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed a major legal challenge, and employers—particularly Minnesota schools, retail and health-care providers—warn of higher costs, potential hiring delays and adjusted recruiting plans.
📌 Key Facts
- USCIS says a new $100,000 petition fee applies to H‑1B petitions filed on or after Sept. 21, 2025 for beneficiaries outside the U.S. who do not have a valid H‑1B visa (i.e., overseas applicants).
- The fee does not apply to amendments, changes of status, extensions/renewals of stay, or to beneficiaries who already have a valid H‑1B visa submitted before Sept. 21, 2025; USCIS clarified F‑1 graduates changing status inside the U.S. and current H‑1B holders traveling in and out are not subject to the fee.
- USCIS has established an online portal for paying the $100,000 petition fee.
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed a major legal challenge against the fee.
- Minnesota reporting says the fee is hitting schools, retail and health‑care employers in the Twin Cities, prompting concerns about higher costs, potential hiring delays, and adjusted recruiting strategies.
- Local employers and sectors that rely on H‑1B talent are assessing operational impacts and expect to adapt hiring plans in response to the new fee.
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- Adds Minnesota-centric reporting on how the fee is affecting schools, retail, and health care employers’ hiring plans.
- Includes employer reactions and anticipated operational impacts (higher costs, potential delays, adjusted recruiting strategies) in Minnesota.
- Provides local context on sectors in the Twin Cities that rely on H‑1B talent and how they expect to adapt to the new fee.
- USCIS says the $100,000 fee applies to H-1B petitions filed on or after Sept. 21, 2025 for beneficiaries outside the U.S. who do not have a valid H-1B visa.
- Exemptions: fee does not apply to amendments, changes of status, or extensions of stay; existing valid H-1B visas submitted before Sept. 21, 2025 are exempt.
- USCIS established an online portal to pay the $100,000 petition fee.
- Clarification that current H-1B holders may travel in and out of the U.S. and that F-1 graduates changing status inside the U.S. are not subject to the fee.
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed a major legal challenge against the fee.