Trump's $100,000 H1-B visa fee: What’s true, what’s not

A $100,000 fee to work in the US on H1-B Visa; the Trump administration's latest rule has caused panic and confusion among thousands living their American dream. But before one starts packing bags amid the confusion and stress, let's separate facts from myths and break down what the rule implies and who it will impact.

Myth #1: Everyone on an H1-B visa to pay $100,000 now

This is one of the biggest misunderstandings, making the H1-B visa holder unnecessarily stressed. The steep fee of $100,000 or around ₹88 lakh only applies to the new H1-B visa application that will be filed after 21 Sept, the day of implementation of the rule. If you already hold a H1-B visa that is valid, you need not worry about the fee hike.

Myth #2: This fee has to be paid every year

The new visa fee being an annual charge, is yet another myth behind worries of visa holders. The truth is, the visa fee is a one-time fee to be paid for new applications and will not be charged annually. Once the charges are paid, there is no recurring payment needed.

Myth #3: Visa renewals will cost $100,000 too

You don’t need to stress if your H1-B visa is up for renewal anytime soon because the new fee doesn’t apply to renewals. Renewals will still be done as per the old fee structure. The US immigration services have confirmed that renewals don’t carry the hiked fee.

Myth #4: You have to pay every time you re-enter the US

This myth caused the most chaos. When the rule was announced, companies and employees panicked. People rushed to cancel flights, rebook return tickets, and spend thousands just to get back into the US before the deadline. In fact, people on board flights back home tried to deplane the moment the rule was announced.
But the panic subsided once the clarification from White House arrived that the visa fee doesn’t restrict anybody with a valid H1-B visa from entering the US, and no fee is to be levied on such re-entry in the US.

Why the new fee was introduced

The whole reason behind hiking up the H1-B visa fee 10 folds is Trump’s agenda on prioritizing Americans in jobs and discouraging companies from employing talent from overseas. By increasing this financial barrier, the policy aims to make it more expensive and difficult for companies to keep jobs in America.

Though the fee hike is real, it only impacts the new H1-B applicants. The ones already working on H1-B visas need to give in to the panic and myth.