Who is exempt from the $100,000 H-1B visa fee? US govt clarifies

Who is exempt from the $100,000 H-1B visa fee? US govt clarifies October 21, 2025

Ahmedabad: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued updated guidance explaining how the $100,000 H-1B visa fee, following the presidential proclamation of September 19, will be implemented. The guidance outlines who must pay the fee, when it applies, and the limited circumstances under which exceptions may be requested.

Scope of the Proclamation

USCIS clarified on October 20 that the fee applies to new H-1B petitions filed on or after 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 21, 2025, for beneficiaries outside the U.S. without a valid H-1B visa. It also applies to petitions requesting consular notification, port-of-entry notification, or pre-flight inspection for individuals already in the U.S.