AI Generated Summary
- The White House has confirmed that the controversial $100,000 fee announced for H-1B visa applications will apply only to new applicants, easing concerns among thousands of professionals already working in the United States on the visa.
- According to a White House fact sheet, the rule directs the Department of Homeland Security to deny H-1B petitions filed without the $100,000 payment, except in cases deemed to serve US national interests.
- The H-1B visa, long regarded as a gateway for highly skilled professionals, especially in the technology sector, has been a cornerstone of the US labor market.
The White House has confirmed that the controversial $100,000 fee announced for H-1B visa applications will apply only to new applicants, easing concerns among thousands of professionals already working in the United States on the visa.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement on Saturday that the measure is strictly for new visas. “This applies only to new visas, not renewals, and not current visa holders,” she wrote on social media platform X. The clarification followed a wave of anxiety among foreign workers, particularly in India, who feared the steep hike might affect their status or ability to travel.
A One-Time Payment for New Applicants
President Donald Trump unveiled the revised fee on Friday, raising the H-1B application cost from $1,000 to an unprecedented $100,000 (roughly ₹86 lakh). The White House described the move as part of a broader effort to “curb abuses that displace US workers and undermine national security.”
Leavitt stressed that the new fee is a one-time charge, not an annual levy. She also reassured current visa holders, saying: “Those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently outside the country right now will not be charged $100,000 to re-enter. Their ability to leave and re-enter remains unchanged.”
India Raises Concerns
The announcement has sparked criticism abroad. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement expressing concern about the sharp increase.
“The jump from $1,000 to $100,000 is likely to have humanitarian consequences by way of disruption for families. The Government hopes these disruptions can be addressed suitably by US authorities,” the MEA noted.
Policy Shifts to Prioritise High-Skilled Workers
According to a White House fact sheet, the rule directs the Department of Homeland Security to deny H-1B petitions filed without the $100,000 payment, except in cases deemed to serve US national interests. The administration also signaled plans to prioritize approvals for “high-skilled and high-paid” workers under the program.
The H-1B visa, long regarded as a gateway for highly skilled professionals, especially in the technology sector, has been a cornerstone of the US labor market. The dramatic hike, however, is likely to reshape how foreign workers and companies approach the system in the coming years.
