When news first broke about a massive $100,000 fee tied to H-1B visas, panic rippled across tech circles and immigrant communities. Workers feared they’d suddenly face impossible costs to keep their status or renew their visas. But according to the official White House proclamation, titled the “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers,” the fee is aimed only at new applicants, not existing visa holders. That clarification has eased fears, though plenty of confusion remains about how the rule will play out.
The chaos started when Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested the fee would be annual and would even hit renewals. His statement set off alarms for thousands of people currently working in the United States, many of whom worried they’d be priced out of staying. Within a day, the White House corrected the record. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the fee is a one-time charge only for fresh petitions. In other words, if you already hold an H-1B or are applying for an extension, this new cost won’t apply to you.
That detail is critical for workers who had been considering emergency travel back to the U.S. before the policy could lock them out. Several large tech firms reportedly advised employees to delay or cancel international trips just in case. The reassurance that renewals and current holders are safe should ease those restrictions, though uncertainty lingers about exactly how agencies will implement the fee.
Supporters argue the hefty charge will curb over-reliance on foreign workers and push companies to hire domestically. Critics see it as an unfair barrier for global talent, especially young professionals trying to break into the American job market. For Indian and South Asian workers, who make up the bulk of H-1B applicants, the new cost could be life-changing. A six-figure fee on top of relocation, legal, and living expenses risks making the visa unattainable for many otherwise qualified candidates.
The administration insists the change is not retroactive, meaning nobody with a valid visa today suddenly owes a dime. Still, immigration lawyers warn that any policy shift of this magnitude can create legal gray areas, especially around people stuck in travel or processing limbo. Until official guidance is published, speculation will continue to swirl.
For now, the takeaway is simple: the $100,000 fee won’t touch existing visa holders. But anyone dreaming of applying for the first time will need to think about whether chasing an H-1B in the U.S. is worth the price tag.
