White House Clarifies Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Fee: Applies Only to New Visas

A day after President Donald Trump signed a proclamation at the White House requiring companies sponsoring H-1B visa holders to pay a $100,000 fee, the administration has clarified the scope of the new regulation.

On September 20, 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the fee is not annual but a one-time charge applicable only to new petitions. 

To be clear:

1.) This is NOT an annual fee. It’s a one-time fee that applies only to the petition.

2.) Those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently outside of the country right now will NOT be charged $100,000 to re-enter.

H-1B visa holders can leave and re-enter the…

— White House Press Office (@PressSec) September 20, 2025

She further noted that current H-1B visa holders will not be subject to the $100,000 payment, nor will the rule affect their ability to leave and re-enter the United States.

“This applies only to new visas, not renewals and not current visa holders,” Leavitt said, adding that the measure will first take effect in the upcoming H-1B lottery cycle. The regulation officially goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 21.