President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation that will require a $100,000 application fee for H-1B visas, in what experts are calling one of the most dramatic changes to the skilled worker program in decades. The proclamation went into effect on September 21, 2025.
The new policy also directs the Department of Labor (DOL) to raise prevailing wage levels, a move intended to ensure H-1B workers are not hired at below-market rates compared to U.S. workers. Together, these measures represent a sweeping overhaul of a visa program long relied upon by U.S. employers to fill high-skilled roles in technology, engineering, and healthcare.
Important:
For H-1B/H-4 Holders within the U.S.: Strongly consider postponing all international travel until there is more clarity.
Key Changes Proposed
The proclamation outlines several sweeping changes:
New $100,000 Fee: Employers must pay this one-time fee for each H-1B petition. It’s not yet clear if this will replace or be added to existing fees, which already include $215 for the H-1B lottery registration and $780 for the petition filing, along with other charges.
Higher Wage Standards: The DOL will revise wage rules to raise required salaries for H-1B workers, further increasing costs for employers.
Increased Scrutiny: The administration states these measures are intended to protect U.S. workers and crack down on perceived misuse of the H-1B lottery system.
Does the $100,000 fee only cover the first H-1B petition?
It’s still unclear whether this rule applies only to the very first H-1B filing — such as a lottery petition or an initial cap-exempt filing — or if it will also cover later filings, like a change of employer. According to a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) memo, the policy is limited to new H-1B petitions filed on behalf of foreign nationals who are outside the United States.
Who’s Affected
New or pending H-1B visa petition filings for foreign nationals who are outside of the U.S. as of September 21, 2025, 12:01 AM ET. Absent court action, the proclamation will take effect, and they will not be able to return to the U.S. until their employer pays the fee. Further guidance on how companies can make this payment is expected soon.
Who May Be Affected
H-1B visa holders who are outside of the U.S. as of September 21, 2025, 12:01 AM ET. According to the USCIS memo, existing H-1B visa holders are permitted to travel to and from the U.S. However, the memo does not specify whether re-entry on an existing visa would trigger the payment requirement. Boundless will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Who Isn’t Affected
Current H-1B holders who are in the U.S. as of September 21, 2025, 12:01 AM ET.
New or pending H-1B visa petition filings for individuals who are in the U.S.
New or existing H-1B holders who are working in the national interest of the United States and do not pose a threat to the security or welfare of the U.S.
Does the new fee apply to extensions, amendments, or change-of-employer applications?
It’s not yet clear. The proclamation specifies that the $100,000 fee applies to new H-1B petitions filed on behalf of foreign nationals outside the U.S., but it does not confirm whether later filings — such as extensions, amendments, or change-of-employer applications — will also be affected. Boundless will provide updates as soon as more guidance is released.
What This Means for Employers and HR Professionals
The impact on U.S. companies will be immediate and significant:
Cost Increases: A company sponsoring 10 H-1B workers annually could face $1 million in additional expenses under the new fee structure.
Budget and Compliance Shifts: HR teams will need to revise immigration budgets, adjust compensation packages to meet higher wage standards, and prepare for increased scrutiny in filings.
Labor Gaps and Reduced Diversity: International talent may simply look elsewhere for employment, creating labor shortages and reducing diversity in the U.S. workforce. This would particularly hurt science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) sectors, which rely on diverse skill sets and international collaboration.
Innovation Slowdown: Industries that rely on international talent, particularly tech, may experience slower growth, as domestic workers alone are unlikely to fill the gaps in the workforce.
Workforce Strategy Changes: Businesses unable to absorb the costs or fill labor gaps with domestic workers may turn to automation, offshoring, or even investments in domestic upskilling programs.
What This Means for Immigrants and Workers
For international professionals, especially in STEM fields, the new $100,000 fee could make the H-1B visa inaccessible. Early-career workers, recent graduates, and those from industries with lower salaries may see U.S. work opportunities vanish, as employers may reserve H-1Bs for only the most critical or senior roles. In addition, students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) hoping to transition to H-1B status could face a much more selective job market as employers rethink sponsorship.
The Big Picture
The Trump administration argues the overhaul will protect U.S. workers, strengthen wage standards, and close loopholes in the H-1B process. However, the policy has alarmed business groups, tech leaders, and immigration advocates, who warn that such a steep fee could effectively turn the H-1B into a “luxury work permit” accessible only to the wealthiest corporations and workers. This would sideline startups and smaller businesses, push skilled talent to other countries, and weaken the United States’ standing as a global innovation leader.
“The U.S. has built its leadership in technology and innovation by making itself the destination of choice for the world’s top talent,” said Xiao Wang, founder and CEO of Boundless. “Policies like this, alongside growing scrutiny of student visa applications, make it harder for bright, ambitious people to come here and put the United States’ standing as a global leader in innovation at risk.”
New Policies Require New Approaches
While the Trump administration’s policy change is poised to upend the H-1B visa pathway for employees and businesses alike, there are alternatives. A small but growing number of companies are starting to look at other pathways for hiring foreign national talent, including extraordinary ability visas like O-1 and EB-1A. While these pathways require greater upfront investment in developing a strong petition, they bypass the H-1B lottery and create a straight path to legal permanent residency.
“The interest from individuals looking to forge their own career paths in the U.S. has driven a surge in EB-1A petitions over the past year,” said Wang. “More recently, we’ve been hearing from a growing number of HR and business leaders that they are actively exploring alternatives to the H-1B visa for their top talent. While the new proclamation, should it stand up to legal challenges, is a blow to H-1B, this is a wakeup call to employers of foreign national talent that it’s time to rethink their global mobility programs.”
Looking Ahead
The new policy is likely to be challenged in court, as new visa fees can typically only be introduced either through legislation passed by Congress or through a formal rulemaking process that requires months of public notice and comment. However, if enacted, the $100,000 H-1B fee would mark one of the most consequential shifts in U.S. employment immigration policy in years, creating barriers for skilled immigrants, reshaping how companies hire global talent, and potentially impacting America’s economic competitiveness.
If you’re a U.S. employer or international worker who anticipates being affected by the new proposal, look out for additional policy updates and speak to an immigration attorney to understand your options.
Boundless will continue tracking this development and provide updates as more details emerge.