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.
📰 Sources (3)
Trump’s increased fee for H1-B visas hits Minnesota schools, retail and health care
New information:
- 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.
H-1B $100k visa updates from Trump administration
New information:
- 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.