By Aakanksha Singh
October 21, 2025
Oct 21, 2025
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released updated guidelines on October 20 on the payment of $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, after US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on September 19.
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Under the new guidance, H-1B visa petitions filed on or after September 21, 12:01 AM local time, will be denied without proof of the $100,000 fee payment.
Photo: Express Archive
The $100,000 H-1B fee applies to petitions filed on or after September 21 for applicants outside the US without valid visas, or cases requesting consular or port-of-entry notification, USCIS said.
Photo: Express Archive
USCIS states that for petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025, requesting status change, amendment, or extension, if ineligible, the $100,000 fee must be paid as per USCIS instructions.
Photo: Express Archive
Exceptions to the $100,000 H-1B Fee – Granted only in extraordinarily rare circumstances. – The worker’s presence is in the national interest of the United States. – No qualified American worker is available for the position. – The worker poses no threat to the security or welfare of US citizens.
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The petitioners for H-1B visa applications are required to submit the $100,000 amount via pay.gov following the instructions provided at the public forum website of the payment gateway.
Photo: Express Archive
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