A new Presidential proclamation imposes a $100,000 fee on most new H-1B petitions for workers outside the United States. President Trump’s Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers was issued September 19. It took effect September 21, 2025, and will last for 12 months unless it is extended. The administration cites abuse of the H-1B program as the rationale.
The proclamation also directs DHS to revise prevailing wage levels and to propose rules prioritizing higher-paid, higher-skilled workers in the H-1B lottery.
USCIS guidance clarifies that the fee “only applies prospectively to petitions that have not yet been filed” and does not apply to current H-1B visa holders, including renewals and extensions. The proclamation allows national interest exemptions.
The $100,000 payment is in addition to existing fees that typically total between $2,000 and $5,000. Petitions filed on or after the effective date without proof of payment will be refused. Agencies have not yet detailed how employers will remit and document the payment.
Members of the Center for Workplace Compliance (CWC), our affiliated nonprofit membership association, can read more here.