On September 19, 2025, President Donald Trump initiated one of the most significant shifts in H-1B visa policy to date: a one-time $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions for workers outside the U.S. Effective September 21, 2025, this measure has sent ripples across the technology sector and beyond. As analysts, we must look beyond the immediate headlines to understand the underlying data and its probable long-term implications.
The immediate aftermath was characterized by considerable confusion and panic, prompting rapid clarifications from the White House, DHS, USCIS, and CBP. These agencies confirmed that the substantial fee applies only to new H-1B petitions, explicitly exempting existing visa holders, renewals, and applications filed before the deadline. This swift response highlights the scale of the initial market disruption and the necessity to stabilize the fears of major corporations like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, which heavily rely on the H-1B program. According to a report from The Hindu, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, signaling a clear intent to reshape the skilled immigration landscape.
Beyond the Hype: A Numbers-Based View
The $100,000 fee is not an isolated policy; it forms part of a broader
