H-1B visa fee exemptions explained: Who can get it for free
Trump introduces new fee for H-1B work visas in the US (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
New rules for applying for H-1B work visas have come into effect in the US. A presidential order by Donald Trump introduces a significant fee, although not everyone is required to pay it, according to Axios.
Starting September 21, a US presidential order established an additional fee of $100,000 for applying for an H-1B work visa.
The White House explained that this fee applies only to new applicants, and holders of existing visas will not have to pay it.
Earlier, confusion arose among lawyers. Some experts assumed that the fee would also apply to those who already hold an H-1B visa but are temporarily outside the US. As a result, some advisors recommended that their clients return to the US urgently before the order took effect.
White House clarification
A representative of the administration stated that the new fee applies exclusively to new applications and will be implemented for the first time in the upcoming lottery cycle. Those who already hold a valid visa or are renewing one will not be affected.
Immigration lawyer Douglas Russo wrote on LinkedIn: "I hate to say this, but if you are an H-1B worker outside the U.S. who already has an H-1B visa, the safest approach is re-entering before Sunday.” However, it later became clear that such actions are unnecessary.
Impact on employers
H-1B work visas are widely used by major US employers, including tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, as well as outsourcing companies such as Cognizant. Experts predict that the introduction of the new fee could result in over $1 billion in additional annual costs for businesses.
As a result, Trump’s initiative may significantly change how companies recruit foreign specialists, increasing financial burdens on employers and potentially reducing the number of H-1B applications.
The US has changed the rules for non-immigrant visa applications: documents can now only be submitted in the applicant’s country of citizenship or permanent residence. This change complicates the process and limits the ability to apply from outside the home country.
Additionally, US President Donald Trump approved an order introducing a special “Trump Gold Card,” intended to simplify the process for obtaining residency in the US. The card will be available to both individuals and corporations, providing an accelerated mechanism for securing the relevant status.
