New H-1B visa fee will not apply for change of status: U.S. govt., Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The U.S. government clarified that the new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas will not apply to applications for change of status or extension of stay in the U.S.
• The clarification follows President Donald Trump's proclamation on September 19, 2025, imposing the fee on H-1B visas.
• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit challenging the $100,000 fee.
• Tata Consultancy Services had 5,505 H-1B visas approved in 2025 as of June, the second-highest number after Amazon (10,044).

Detailed Insights:

• The September 19, 2025 proclamation imposing the $100,000 fee is a one-time fee and applies only to new H-1B visa applications.
• The USCIS guidelines state that the proclamation does not apply to previously issued and valid H-1B visas or petitions submitted before September 21, 2025.
• The proclamation does not prevent current H-1B visa holders from traveling to and from the U.S.
• Approximately 70% of the 7.3 lakh H-1B visa holders in the U.S. as of January 2025 are Indian citizens.
• The lawsuit filed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce argues that the fee overrides existing provisions in current laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Key Concepts Involved:

• H-1B Visa: A non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
• USCIS: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency overseeing lawful immigration to the United States.
• Immigration and Nationality Act: A U.S. federal law that governs immigration and citizenship in the United States.