USCIS details $100K H‑1B fee: applies to overseas applicants; renewals exempt
USCIS says the $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 have a valid H‑1B visa, and it does not apply to amendments, changes of status, extensions or renewals tied to existing valid H‑1B visas filed before that date. The agency has launched an online portal for payment, clarified current H‑1B holders may travel and F‑1 graduates changing status inside the U.S. are not subject to the fee, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed a major legal challenge.
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📌 Key Facts
- 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.
- The fee does not apply to amendments, changes of status, extensions of stay, or to H-1B visas already valid and submitted before Sept. 21, 2025.
- USCIS clarified that current H-1B holders may continue to 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.
- USCIS has established an online portal through which the $100,000 petition fee can be paid.
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed a major legal challenge against the fee.
📰 Sources (2)
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.