H-1B Visa Fee Applies Only To New Petitions, Not Renewals: White House After Chaos

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The White House on September 21 clarified that the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee will apply only to new petitions, not renewals or current visa holders, after the initial announcement sparked chaos across businesses and Silicon Valley.

The confusion came after President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on September 20 to significantly curtail the H-1B visa program, prompting major tech firms to react quickly. Microsoft and Meta immediately advised employees on temporary work visas to avoid leaving the U.S., while urging staff abroad to return as soon as possible.

Meta told H-1B and H4 visa holders not to travel outside the U.S. for at least two weeks “till practical applications” of the order were clear, and asked those already abroad to consider flying back “within 24 hours.” Microsoft issued a similar warning, noting that leaving the country could risk denial of re-entry and instructing employees outside the U.S. to “do best to return” promptly.

The White House sought to calm the confusion, emphasizing that the new fee is a one-time charge for new visa petitions and will take effect in the next lottery cycle. “This is a one-time fee that applies only to the petition. It ONLY applies to new visas, not renewals or current visa holders,” a White House official said.

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers framed the policy as a measure to prevent abuses of the visa system. “President Trump promised to put American workers first, and this common-sense action does just that by discouraging companies from spamming the system and driving down wages. It also gives certainty to American businesses who actually want to bring high-skilled workers to our great country but have been trampled on by abuses of the system,” Rogers said.

Trump, at the signing ceremony, described the policy as part of his broader push to prioritize American employment. “We need workers. We need great workers, and this pretty much ensures that,” he said.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized the economic deterrent to hiring foreign workers.“No more will big tech or other companies train foreign workers without consequence. They have to pay the government $100,000, then pay the employee. It’s not economic. Train Americans. Stop bringing in people to take our jobs. That’s the policy here—$100,000 a year for H-1B visas,” Lutnick explained.

According to Pew Research data, India-born workers received roughly 73 percent of all approved H-1B visas in 2023, followed by China at 12 percent, reflecting both a backlog in approvals and the high number of skilled immigrants from India. (IANS)