Trump’s Executive Order Imposes $100,000 Fee on New H-1B Visas, Sparking Confusion

The Trump administration has introduced a change to the H-1B visa program through a presidential proclamation signed on September 19. The order, titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers,” took effect on September 21 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. It requires a $100,000 payment with all new H-1B petitions.

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the measure applies only to petitions filed after the effective date. Current H-1B visa holders and those seeking renewals are exempt from the new fee, and no existing visas have been revoked. The U.S. Department of State confirmed that the restrictions are prospective and only apply to new applications.

H-1B Fee Shakeup Puts Tech Workers And Companies On Edge

The sudden announcement sparked urgent guidance from major technology and financial companies. Internal memos obtained by Business Insider indicate that Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Goldman Sachs are advising employees with H-1B status to avoid travel until further clarification is provided. One memo instructed, “If you have H-1B status and are in the U.S.: stay in the country for now, even if you have travel planned for the immediate future.” Employees abroad were told to attempt to return before the deadline.

A Reuters report described a scramble among workers to adjust travel plans. Many rushed back to the United States before the rule took effect. Furthermore, India’s $283 billion information technology industry, which generates roughly 57 percent of its revenue from the U.S. market, is expected to be heavily affected. Indian nationals accounted for about 71 percent of approved H-1B beneficiaries in fiscal year 2024, according to USCIS data.

Industry analysts warn that the change could disrupt decades-old strategies of rotating skilled workers into U.S. projects. Experts anticipate that companies will increase their reliance on offshore delivery and remote work while reassessing their sponsorship of foreign nationals. Immigration attorneys expect legal challenges to follow. “We are anticipating that several lawsuits will be immediately forthcoming this week,” said Sophie Alcorn, CEO of Alcorn Immigration Law, in comments reported by Reuters.

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