USCIS Clarifies New $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee: Who Pays and Who is Exempt?
This clarification is vital for employers and foreign professionals to accurately budget and strategize their H-1B filings to avoid unexpected costs or denials.
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Article Summary
The U.S. immigration agency has clarified the new one-time $100,000 H-1B visa fee, effective September 21, 2025. This fee applies to new H-1B petitions filed from outside the U.S. for consular processing, with the payment obligation falling on the employer. Individuals already in the U.S. seeking a change of status to H-1B are exempt from this charge.
Original Article: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
[ Sentiment: negative | Tone: factual ]
This summary and analysis were generated by TheNewsPublisher's editorial AI. This content is for informational purposes only; it does not constitute legal or immigration advice.
[ Sentiment: negative | Tone: factual ]
This summary and analysis were generated by TheNewsPublisher's editorial AI. This content is for informational purposes only; it does not constitute legal or immigration advice.
TNP AI: Key Insights
This fee significantly impacts the cost of hiring foreign talent from abroad, requiring employers to adjust their recruitment budgets and strategies, particularly for new international hires. While USCIS routinely adjusts filing fees, a one-time charge of this magnitude is unprecedented for H-1B petitions and represents a substantial new financial barrier.
For tech startups and companies heavily reliant on bringing in talent directly from overseas, this fee could deter international recruitment, potentially shifting focus towards candidates already within the U.S. on other visa statuses. This distinction between in-country change of status and consular processing could incentivize more F-1 and L-1 visa holders to pursue H-1B status domestically, and may face legal scrutiny regarding its potential discriminatory impact.
