WASHINGTON: The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has clarified that the new USD 100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications, introduced under the Trump administration, will not apply to applicants seeking a “change of status” or “extension of stay.”
The guidelines, issued on Monday, outline exemptions under the “restriction on entry of certain non-immigrant workers.” President Donald Trump had earlier announced on September 19 that the fee for new H-1B visa applications would be increased to USD 100,000 (approximately Rs 88 lakh).
“This announcement will not apply to any previously issued and currently valid H-1B visas, or any petition submitted before 12:01 p.m. Eastern Daylight on September 21, 2025,” USCIS said in a statement.
The agency further added that the decision would not prevent existing H-1B visa holders from traveling within or outside the United States.
