Do you have to be anxious in case you maintain an H-1B visa and are available dwelling for a go to? New utility? Entry payment from September 21, 2025, the US defined.

The US authorities has lately made it harder to enter the nation, particularly for these searching for employment within the US. Indian tech staff and college students at the moment are below fixed concern. The Trump administration introduced a $100,000 one-time payment for brand new H-1B visa purposes as a part of their immigration coverage (efficient September 19, 2025). The payment is a whopping $100,000, and so is the worry. And so can also be confusion concerning the coverage because it took impact at midnight on September 21, 2025. Are these already working within the US in danger? Ought to potential candidates be anxious, too? Study extra. 

Who Has to Pay the $100,000?

The reasoning given by the Trump administration for the coverage change: the H-1B system was being “abused” and was a “nationwide safety menace.” Right here’s the breakdown: 

• New H-1B candidates exterior the US ought to pay the $100,000 (which is INR 88,29,047.57) payment in the event that they wish to enter the US. This was $2,000 to $5,000 (INR 1,76,579.20 – INR 441448.00) earlier than this coverage got here into impact. ✅
• Present H-1B visa holders within the US do not should pay the payment. ❌
• H-1B holders extending or transferring visas contained in the US are additionally exempted from the coverage. ❌
• F-1 college students changing their visas to H-1B contained in the US are additionally exempted. ❌
• F-1 college students exterior the US making use of for H-1B (by the upcoming February lottery or later) should pay the payment. ✅
• Additionally, the federal government will waive the payment for foreigners working within the “nationwide curiosity” job roles, for example, healthcare staff. ❌
• However thus far, there isn’t a clear exemption record that has been printed formally.

Journey Grey Space

• As an example you could have a sound H-1B visa and journey overseas. Do it’s a must to pay $100,000 to re-enter the US?
• No, says the White Home. Nonetheless, the attorneys say that the wording of the White Home is complicated on the matter.
• Whereas all that is taking place, huge corporations like Amazon and Microsoft have requested their staff to not journey till there’s readability.

Is It One-Time or Annual?

• The actual confusion is right here as a result of the early drafts of the coverage say yearly. Alternatively, the proclamations state that the payment applies every time the particular person enters the US.
• Instance: You might have come dwelling (India) for Diwali (or holidays), and whereas re-entering the nation, you will be entitled to pay $100,000 once more.
• Legal professionals on this matter say that nobody is aware of how these charges can be collected. Will or not it’s collected by the state Division, at airports, or by employers? No readability. 

Methods to Pay the Charge?

• In keeping with the regulation, the employer is entitled to pay the H-1B petition charges, not the employee themselves.
• It’s clear that corporations won’t pay out of their very own pockets; as a substitute, they’ll not directly regulate the quantity by decreasing staff’ salaries, hiring, or sponsorships.

Why the Panic?

• The information actually prompted panic with this confusion. Even now, a number of with present H-1B visas suppose they will be requested to pay.
• About 70% of the H-1B Visa holders are Indian, working within the tech sector, and so they panicked essentially the most.
• The information broke with totally different variations, so the businesses requested their staff to remain within the US earlier than September 21, 2025. So, they’ll shield themselves from the brand new rule.

Impression on Salaries

• The payment of $100,000 is INR 88,29,047.57, which is big for a lot of Indians staying within the US. It’s manner above the median annual wage of a recent H-1B employee.
• If we do the mathematics, it is over 80% of the typical annual wage of all H-1B staff.
• Many corporations rent foreigners (particularly Indians) for his or her abilities and productiveness at work. However insurance policies like these make the visa extra intimidating for each staff and firms. 

Lengthy-Time period Results

The long-term results are seemingly adverse for the US as a result of:

• The $100,000 is an unaffordable quantity for Indians, in order that the US will undergo from a lack of expert STEM staff, particularly from India.
• Different visas like L-1, O-1 might even see a spike, however the guidelines aren’t versatile for a lot of, so they don’t seem to be sustainable, both.
• Present OPT (Optionally available Sensible Coaching) college students will see much less competitors within the brief time period. Nonetheless, there are fewer alternatives total.
• The Indian tech expertise will transfer to different nations like Canada, the UK, Australia, and extra (boosting their financial system), which is a minus for the US.

Authorized Challenges

Proper now, a number of Immigration attorneys are making ready lawsuits. This coverage is broadly in comparison with the 2017 Journey Ban that was introduced as a “safety measure,” and it was fought in court docket.

Necessary element that attorneys are underlining:

• A presidential proclamation just isn’t a regulation.
• However a presidential proclamation does carry authority over federal businesses till the intervention and blockage from the courts. That is what occurred within the 2017 Journey Ban.
• Within the US, solely Congress has the authority to alter the H-1B regulation. Apparently, the coverage is framed on the idea of a safety challenge, so the President has short-term authority solely. 

Normal H1B New Coverage FAQs

Q1: Do all H-1B holders must pay?

No, solely new candidates exterior the US after September 21, 2025, should pay $100,000 to enter the US.

Q2: Is it annual?

Not formally. It’s “per entry,” however wants clarification from the White Home.

Q3: What about renewals/extensions?

No payment.

This fall: Who pays?

The employer is sponsoring.

Q5: Any exemptions?

It’s unclear, however the roles within the “nationwide curiosity”, like healthcare (like medical doctors, nurses), could also be exempted.

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