Trump's $100K H-1B move: When will the visa bill go into effect? First details out

President Donald Trump is planning to introduce a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas.

Published on: Sep 20, 2025, 01:17:29 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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President Donald Trump is planning to introduce a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas, Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing a White House official familiar with the matter. HT.com could not immediately verify the report. As per the Bloomberg report, the president was expected to sign a proclamation as early as Friday.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One on his return from a state visit in Britain (REUTERS)

Trump also planned to order changes to the prevailing-wage levels for the H-1B program as a way to limit their use, the official told the media outlet.

When can the $100,000 H-1B visa fee hike take effect? Protocol for proclamations explained

According to Bloomberg, Trump is poised to sign a proclamation on Friday. This move, part of a broader immigration crackdown, would restrict entry under the program unless the fee is paid, alongside adjustments to prevailing-wage levels to limit its use. While the signing could occur as early as Friday, the effective date and implementation timeline depend on the proclamation's protocol, which allows for immediate enforcement but often includes a grace period for compliance.

Presidential proclamations, under Article II of the US Constitution and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), enable the executive to address national emergencies without congressional approval. Once signed, the proclamation takes effect upon publication in the Federal Register, typically within days. In 2017, Trump signed a travel ban proclamation, which took effect immediately upon signing.

Fees directly tied to the H-1B visa application currently include a $215 fee to register for the lottery and a $780 fee for a Form I-129, which is a petition for a non-immigrant worker that is filed by an employer sponsor. It is not immediately clear whether the $100,000 figure was in addition to, or inclusive of, existing fees. H-1B visas are awarded based on a lottery system.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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