New H-1B Visa Fee Clarified by White House

Following a period of confusion and panic, the White House has clarified that the new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas is a one-time fee per petition, not an annual charge. This announcement was made by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on Saturday, aiming to quell the alarm that had led some major tech companies to advise their H-1B visa-holding employees to remain in the United States.

Key Points of the New Policy

• One-Time Fee: The $100,000 fee applies only to new H-1B petitions, not to renewals or current visa holders.
• Travel Unaffected: Current H-1B visa holders who are traveling internationally can re-enter the U.S. without being subject to the new fee.
• Prioritizing High-Skilled Workers: The policy, signed by President Donald Trump, aims to level the playing field for American workers and prioritize highly skilled and highly paid workers in the H-1B lottery.
• Case-by-Case Exemptions: The new rule allows for the fee to be waived on a case-by-case basis if it is deemed to be in the “national interest.”

The new fee and other proposed changes have caused concern within the Indian technology industry, which relies heavily on skilled professionals who use H-1B visas. The White House has acknowledged that the share of IT workers with H-1B visas has risen significantly over the past two decades.