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H-1B visa fees news highlights: Deadline ends, $100,000 fee now effective amid concerns
H-1B visa fees news highlights: President Donald Trump has issued a sweeping order imposing a fee of $100,000 on H-1B visas. Since Indians make up the majority of H-1B holders, the move has caused widespread concern. White House clarified that the rule will apply only to new applicants.
- 10:33 AM IST, Sep 21Can H-1B visa holders re-enter the US as deadline ends? White House clarifies
- 9:53 AM IST, Sep 21US Chamber of Commerce raises concerns, says it’s assessing full implications
- 9:38 AM IST, Sep 21Telangana CM urges PM, EAM to tackle fee hike on 'war footing'
- 9:12 AM IST, Sep 21Trump’s proclamation sparks panic, White House rushes with clarification
- 8:35 AM IST, Sep 21Tech giants lead H-1B visa usage, Amazon tops list
- 8:14 AM IST, Sep 21Congress MP criticizes Trump’s H-1B move, ‘they don’t want to see Indian or PM Modi'
- 7:39 AM IST, Sep 21India flags potential humanitarian impact
- 6:59 AM IST, Sep 21USCIS issues guidelines on who is affected by $100K H-1B visa fee
- 6:29 AM IST, Sep 21US chamber of commerce reacts to $100K fee, says ‘concerned about impact on…’
- 6:14 AM IST, Sep 21$100Kvisa fee rule takes effect today
- 5:47 AM IST, Sep 21What Indian govt said on Trump's new proclamation
- 3:13 AM IST, Sep 20Goldman Sachs cautions employees on international travel
- 2:26 AM IST, Sep 20White House says visa fee not 'annual' but a 'one-time fee'
- 11:12 PM IST, Sep 20Piyush Goyal to visit US for trade talks on Sept 22
- 9:29 PM IST, Sep 20US official tells HT that fee hike only for new applications
- 1:50 AM IST, Sep 20White House issues official clarification on exemptions
- 12:02 PM IST, Sep 21This live blog ends here.
- 4:49 AM IST, Sep 20Indian embassy issues emergency assistance number
H-1B visa fees news: This live blog has concluded. Follow the latest updates here. In a big action which is set to impact many, including Indians, US President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation that imposes a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas, restricting the entry of certain non-immigrant workers....Read More
The Trump administration's immigration overhaul sparked confusion among immigrant workers, prompting the White House to clarify on Saturday that the measure targets only new applicants. “Those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently outside of the country right now will NOT be charged $100,000 to re-enter,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X. “This applies only to new visas, not renewals, and not current visa holders.”
Meanwhile, the US chamber of commerce has expressed concern and warned that Trump's new H-1B visa rule could affect employees, their families, and employers.
“We're concerned about the impact on employees, their families, and employers. We're working with the Administration and our members to understand the full implications and the best path forward,” the agency said in a statement.
The move by is expected to hit India the most as 71 per cent of the 3,99,395 H-1B visas approved in 2024 were received by Indians, followed by China with just 11.7 per cent. India has dominated the number of H-1B visa grantees historically as well. India has reacted to the move, with the ministry of external affairs releasing a statement.
H-1B visa fees | Key points
– H-1B visa fees date: A press release of the presidential action shared on the White House website states new rule over H-1B visas comes into effect on September 21.
– What are H-1B visas? H-1B visas allow companies to sponsor foreign workers with specialised skills – such as scientists, engineers, and computer programmers – to work in the US, initially for three years, but extendable to six years.
– $100,000 fee: Titled "Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers," the proclamation mandates that H-1B petitions must be accompanied by the $100,000 payment to be considered valid. Petitions not meeting this requirement will be denied, and workers associated with the sponsor companies will be barred from entering the US.
– Amazon, Meta, Microsoft issue advisories: After Trump dropped the $100,000 H-1B visa bombshell, Microsoft led in issuing an advisory to its employees to return to the stay in the US and return in a day if they're outside ahead of a looming deadline. Amazon, Alphabet Inc., and Meta followed suit. JP Morgan also issued a similar advisory.
– What Trump said: US President Donald Trump described the misuse of the H-1B system as a "national security threat", citing investigations by law enforcement into outsourcing firms heavily reliant on the programme.
– ‘Alien’ entry restricted: The White House press release reads: “Employers shall, prior to filing an H-1B petition on behalf of an alien outside the United States, obtain and retain documentation showing that the payment of this proclamation has been made.”
