New $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Won’t Affect Current Holders, White House Clarifies

A new $100,000 charge for H-1B visa applications in the U.S., taking effect this Sunday, will be applied per new petition but will not impact individuals who already hold valid H-1B visas, the White House announced Saturday.

“This is NOT an annual fee. It’s a one-time fee that applies only to the petition,” said White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt in a post on X.

An H-1B petition refers to an employer’s request to sponsor a skilled foreign worker for temporary employment in the U.S. The new fee targets these new applications only.

Leavitt further clarified that “current H-1B visa holders who are currently outside of the country will not be charged $100,000 to re-enter the United States.”

This clarification came after earlier statements on Friday by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested that the fee might be charged annually, though he also noted that the final details were still under discussion. The White House’s update on Saturday marks a clear correction to that interpretation.
In reaction to Friday’s announcement, several major corporations reportedly instructed employees on H-1B visas to avoid international travel. Some companies even advised their visa holders to remain in the U.S. until the situation was clarified, according to internal communications. One major financial institution advised staff to “exercise caution on international travel.”

Leavitt reassured affected workers that “H-1B visa holders can leave and re-enter the country as they normally would and that the new fee would only apply in the next H-1B lottery round and not to current visa holders or renewals.”

According to the administration, the purpose of this fee is to address concerns about American workers being replaced by lower-paid foreign labor. Officials say the new policy aims to create a more level playing field for the domestic workforce.
The proclamation that enacted this change was signed by President Donald Trump on Friday. Some industry groups have warned that this move could cause disruption, especially for firms that rely on deploying skilled professionals to the U.S. from overseas.
In a fact sheet released Saturday, the administration stated it may consider exemptions from the $100,000 fee “if in the national interest.” The document also pointed to a growing reliance on H-1B holders in the tech sector, noting that their share has grown from 32% in 2003 to over 65% in recent years.
The proclamation also instructs the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security to work together on enforcement, auditing, and compliance. Additionally, it calls for a review and revision of wage levels in the H-1B program, with an emphasis on giving preference to “high-skilled, high-paid H-1B workers.”
Visa Holders React with Urgency
The Friday announcement triggered immediate concern across the tech and financial sectors. On social platforms, many H-1B holders recounted rushing to return to the U.S., in some cases within hours of landing abroad, out of fear they might be subject to the new fee upon re-entry.
The administration framed the move as a national security measure, stating:

“President Trump is imposing higher costs on companies seeking to use the H-1B program in order to address the abuse of the program, stop the undercutting of wages, and protect our national security.”