Washington, D.C., USA: On Sunday, the White House assured foreign professionals and their employers that President Donald Trump’s newly announced $100,000 H-1B fee applies only to new applications, not to visas that have already been granted, renewals, or travel rights.
According to updated guidance issued late Sunday, the administration clarified that the order signed on September 19 “does not cover H-1B visas already issued, nor petitions filed before 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 21, 2025.”
Officials also underlined that the measure “does not alter renewal-related payments” and that “current H-1B visa holders may continue to travel in and out of the United States without restriction.”
The order, officially titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers,” instead introduces a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after the cut-off, including those submitted for the upcoming 2026 lottery.
To implement the directive, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department have been directed to take all required steps. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has already circulated instructions on fee collection, Customs and Border Protection has provided operational notes to staff, and U.S. consular officers abroad have been briefed.
While emphasizing stability for current visa holders, the White House described the measure as just the opening phase of a broader immigration overhaul. The Labor Department is preparing new rules to raise prevailing wage benchmarks, with the stated goal of “upgrading the H-1B program to ensure it is reserved for highly qualified foreign workers.”
DHS will also redesign the lottery process to give preference to applicants with higher skills and salaries.
The administration signaled more changes ahead, stating that “further reforms are under review and will be rolled out in the coming months.”
The H-1B program, which admits 85,000 foreign professionals each year, has long divided opinion in Washington. Tech companies argue that it is vital for attracting skilled talent, particularly from India and China. Opponents, however, claim the system depresses U.S. wages and disadvantages American workers.
Trump’s latest policy, announced as part of his second-term agenda, adds new intensity to this debate. While the assurance that renewals and travel remain intact provides short-term relief for companies and employees, the high fee on new applications and the prospect of sweeping structural reforms create significant uncertainty for the future of the program.
