The United States has introduced new restrictions on the entry of nonimmigrant workers by implementing a one-time $100,000 fee for all new H-1B visa petitions. The measure was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump and took effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on September 21, 2025.
The policy aims to limit the flow of new foreign workers while pushing U.S. companies to reconsider their international hiring strategies.
Employers filing new H-1B petitions for candidates outside the country must now include proof of payment or risk automatic denial. The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department have been directed to oversee enforcement of the fee. The measure will remain in effect for 12 months unless extended.
In a memo released Saturday, USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow clarified that the $100,000 fee applies only to petitions filed after September 21, 2025. He confirmed that petitions already in process, renewals, and previously approved H-1B visas will not be affected by the policy.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed concerns that the fee might become recurring. She emphasized that the new charge is not an annual payment but a one-time requirement tied to the petition itself.
She also noted that the rule does not place new restrictions on the travel rights of current H-1B holders. Those who already have valid visas can continue to travel internationally without facing additional entry limitations.
The policy is expected to raise significant costs for U.S. companies filing new H-1B petitions, particularly in the IT and tech outsourcing sectors that have historically relied on this visa category for skilled labor.
Employers unable or unwilling to absorb the fee may reduce foreign hiring or shift their talent strategies. For international workers seeking employment in the United States, the added financial burden may limit access to new job opportunities.
