Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee starts today: USCIS guidance on who must pay and who is exempt

President Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee takes effect today, applying to new petitions filed for beneficiaries outside the US without a valid H-1B visa. USCIS requires proof of payment or approved exceptions via pay.gov, while exemptions remain rare and tightly controlled. The rule excludes amendments, extensions, or changes of status for those inside the US. Legal challenges have already been filed, with employers expressing concern over the fee’s impact on hiring skilled foreign workers.