In a major relief to thousands of Indian professionals and students in the United States, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has clarified that the newly introduced $100,000 H-1B visa fee, announced last month by President Donald Trump, will not apply to existing visa holders or recent international graduates already in the country .

The clarification comes after weeks of uncertainty following Trump’s proclamation mandating a steep annual fee — roughly ₹90 lakh — for employers sponsoring foreign skilled workers, set to take effect on September 21, 2025.

According to the latest USCIS guidance, the fee exemption extends to those currently on valid visas, including F-1 student visa holders, L-1 transferees, and H-1B professionals seeking renewals or status changes . The

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