Trump H-1B Visa Fee: White House Clarifies Who Will Be Affected

Trump H-1B Visa Fee:

The White House has clarified details about President Donald Trump’s new executive order on H-1B visas, which introduced a $100,000 fee. According to officials, this fee will apply only to new H-1B applications and not to people who already hold valid visas.

Trump H-1B Visa Fee:

The announcement created confusion on Friday when the order was signed. Many companies and workers were unsure whether the new fee would affect renewals or those currently abroad. On Saturday, a White House official explained that it is a one-time fee linked only to new petitions. The change will first come into effect during the next H-1B lottery cycle.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also confirmed that the fee will not impact the ability of current H-1B visa holders to leave and re-enter the United States. She stated that those already holding visas will not be charged $100,000 to come back into the country. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) later released a memo supporting this clarification.

However, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appeared to give a different interpretation on Friday, suggesting that the fee could also apply to renewals. This contradiction left many workers and companies uncertain about the real impact of the order.

The sudden announcement has caused concern in the tech industry, where companies like Amazon and Microsoft rely heavily on H-1B workers. Both firms issued internal memos urging their employees abroad to return to the U.S. before the deadline of September 21, 2025. Amazon advised staff to clear customs before midnight on Sunday to avoid possible complications.

President Trump and Lutnick defended the executive order, saying the measure is designed to prevent misuse of the H-1B visa program. For years, this program has been widely used by technology companies to bring skilled foreign professionals into the U.S. workforce.

While the White House insists current visa holders are safe from the fee, the mixed messages from different officials have fueled uncertainty. Companies and workers are still waiting for complete guidance on how the new rule will be applied in the future.

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