H-1B visa shock eased: Trump’s $100,000 fee won’t be annual, White House clarifies

A day after US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, the White House sought to calm confusion over the scope of the measure.

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Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, in a post on X, stressed that the fee is not an annual charge but a one-time payment tied to new petitions only.

“This fee applies only to new visas, not renewals, and not current visa holders,” she said.

To be clear:

1.) This is NOT an annual fee. It’s a one-time fee that applies only to the petition.

2.) Those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently outside of the country right now will NOT be charged $100,000 to re-enter.

H-1B visa holders can leave and re-enter the…

— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) September 20, 2025

The clarification contradicted earlier remarks by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who had repeatedly claimed the fee would apply annually.

Leavitt said the new fee will first come into effect in the next upcoming lottery cycle, meaning those selected in this year’s lottery, whose visas are effective from 1 October, will not have to pay.

Other points highlighted by the White House included:

1. Current H-1B holders will not be charged to re-enter the U.S. after travel abroad.
2. The ability of visa holders to leave and re-enter remains unchanged.
3. Exemptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis if deemed in the national interest.

The policy, which became effective on Sunday, is scheduled to expire after one year but could be extended.

The proclamation has unsettled Indian tech workers, who account for more than 71% of H-1B visas. India’s Ministry of External Affairs warned of “humanitarian consequences” from family disruptions and said the government hopes US authorities address them suitably.

Big technology firms, including Microsoft, Amazon, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs, earlier advised employees with H-1B visas to remain in the US and avoid international travel.

Currently, an H-1B application costs a non-US worker $215, with employers contributing an additional $780. The program allows US companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers in specialised fields.