The White House confirms the new $100K H-1B visa fee won’t affect current holder
Introduction: The White House has stated that the US’s new H-1B visa fee will not apply to existing holders
The H-1B visa is a vital program for foreign professionals working in the US President Donald Trump recently announced a new increase, but it included a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visas The White House clarified that this fee will not apply to existing visa holders This news is a relief for countries like India, where a large number of IT professionals migrate to the US This article will provide comprehensive information on this topic We will discuss the H-1B visa, the White House’s clarification on the new fee, its impact, and other aspects We will speak in simple language so that everyone can understand Let’s discuss this topic
What is the H-1B visa?
The H-1B visa is a US non-immigrant visa that allows foreign skilled workers to work in the US Companies hire these individuals with specialized knowledge Such as IT, engineering, medicine, and finance Each year, the US government issues 85,000 H-1B visas, 20,000 of which are reserved for those with master’s degrees Companies apply, and then selection is made through a lottery India receives the most H-1B visas, primarily used by tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon This visa is valid for three years and can be extended for another three years
New Fees Announced
On September 19, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation imposing new restrictions on H-1B visas The main point is that H-1B petitions will now have a $100,000 annual fee The Trump administration claims this will protect American workers They claim that H-1B visas impact American jobs For example, some IT companies hire H-1B workers and then fire Americans The proclamation also stated that one IT firm received 1,700 H-1B workers in 2025 However, the same company fired 2,400 American workers in July Trump wants to prevent this This fee came into effect on September 20, 2025 However, confusion initially spread, with people thinking that existing H-1B holders would also be affected
White House clarification
The White House quickly clarified, however, that the new fee would only apply to new applicants Existing H-1B holders will not have to pay this fee Additionally, a White House spokesperson stated, “Those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently outside the country will not have to pay $100,000 to return, a relief for millions of people working in the United States” They further stated that existing holders can continue their jobs There will be no fees for renewals, but fees will apply to new petitions This clarification came to calm the corporate panic Tech companies were worried Now the situation is clear
Impact on Existing Holders on H-1B visa new fee
Existing H-1B holders are safe Furthermore, if they are in the United States, there is no problem. They can continue working However, if they are abroad, such as on vacation or visiting family, they will not be charged a fee upon return. Their valid visa will continue, but if their visa is expiring, they will have to consider renewing However, the White House states that there will be no fees for renewals, only for completely new applications. This is good news for India 70% of H-1B applicants are from India H-1B holders are coming in They’re now worry-free And the impact on new applicants is that new applicants are facing difficulties Now, an annual fee of $100,000 will be required for H-1B petitions.
This is a significant amount Small companies won’t be able to afford it So, big tech companies will likely pay it But overall, H-1B applications will decrease There could be a shortage of skilled workers in the US This is precisely Trump’s goal He wants to prioritize American workers and insists that companies train Americans, not rely on foreigners.
Regarding India’s response
India has expressed concern The Indian Foreign Ministry stated that this policy is unfair Both countries benefit from H-1B visas American companies get cheap and skilled labor India receives foreign exchange The Indian IT industry will also be affected Organizations like NASSCOM are protesting They say it will harm global trade, but Indian students studying in the US are also concerned They hope to find jobs on H-1B visas This will become more difficult now, along with the tech industry’s reaction, which is angering tech companies They say it will stifle innovation and address the talent shortage in the US The H-1B helps address this For example, most startups in Silicon Valley rely on foreign talent And if the fees are so high, they may relocate to Canada or Europe
History of Trump’s Immigration Policy
Trump has always been strict on immigration After his election in 2016, he imposed restrictions on the H-1B, such as increasing wage requirements Then, in 2020, he temporarily suspended the H-1B, citing the COVID-19 pandemic His slogan is “America First,” specifically, “Financial Restrictions” in 2025 He wants to protect American jobs But critics say it will harm the economy The H-1B visa process involves companies filing petitions with USCIS for H-1Bs After approval, individuals apply for visas However, the added fees have made the process more expensive Companies must consider whether the investment is worthwhile Individuals may also be burdened by the fees
Conclusion: H-1B visa new fee White House clarification
The White House clarified that new H-1B fees will not be imposed on existing applicants This poses a challenge for new applicants India and the tech industry will be affected However, the America First policy will continue. Media coverage This news has been widely reported Al Jazeera, ABC News, and the Washington Post have all covered it, focusing on the confusion and clarification There’s debate on social media, some supporting and some opposing Personal stories: Imagine Rahul, an IT engineer, working in the US on an H-1B since 2023 Now he’s come to India to visit his family. He was worried about the fees And this clarification has relieved the White House And there are millions of people like him His life could have been affected
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