White House Clarifies $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee as One-Time Charge for New Applicants

The White House has clarified that the recently announced $100,000 fee for H-1B visas is a one-time charge applicable only to new applicants, not an annual fee affecting current holders. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the fee applies solely to new petitions and does not impact existing H-1B visa holders or renewals. She emphasized that current visa holders outside the U.S. will not be charged upon re-entry, and their travel rights remain unchanged. The fee will take effect in the upcoming lottery cycle. This clarification follows initial confusion after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested the fee would be annual, prompting major tech companies to advise H-1B employees to return to the U.S. and avoid international travel. The H-1B program is vital for U.S. companies seeking specialized foreign talent, particularly in the tech industry. The administration's clarification aims to address concerns about the fee's impact on current visa holders and their employers.