US Extends $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Restrictions for Another Year

VoS NEWS DESK | INTERNATIONAL IMMIGRATION & LAW | 24 SEPTEMBER 2026

The extended measure affects new H-1B visa applications and represents a substantial increase from the previous fee structure. According to Reuters, the new charge is particularly significant for employers seeking to bring skilled workers into the United States from overseas.

The H-1B programme allows US employers to employ foreign nationals in specialised occupations. It has historically been important to technology companies and businesses that rely on international talent, with workers from countries including India and China forming a significant part of the programme.

Under the extended policy, the $100,000 fee will remain in place for another year. However, the measure does not apply in the same way to all people connected with the H-1B system. Reuters reports that existing H-1B visa holders and foreign graduates already in the United States are exempt from the new fee.

The policy is also facing legal challenges. A federal judge had previously blocked implementation of the fee, and the matter is being considered through further court proceedings. The Boston appeals court is reviewing the earlier ruling, while another legal case concerns a challenge brought by the US Chamber of Commerce.

The financial change could have consequences for companies planning international recruitment. A $100,000 charge represents a significant additional cost compared with the previous H-1B fee range, potentially affecting decisions about whether employers recruit overseas workers directly or consider alternative staffing arrangements.

The issue is particularly relevant to the technology sector, where businesses have traditionally relied on international skilled workers. Reuters reported that some major companies have already adjusted their hiring and operational strategies in response to changes surrounding the programme.

The H-1B development also comes alongside other proposed changes to US immigration rules. Earlier in September, the Trump administration proposed removing the existing 60-day grace period that allows certain H-1B and other non-immigrant visa holders to remain in the United States after losing their employment. That proposal has not become final and remains subject to the regulatory process.

Together, these developments indicate that the rules governing highly skilled foreign workers in the United States are undergoing significant changes. For international graduates, technology professionals, employers and immigration lawyers, both the financial requirements and the legal status of the measures remain important areas to monitor.

VoS STRATEGIC INSIGHT

The extension of the $100,000 H-1B fee keeps a major additional cost in place for new applications while court challenges continue. Its practical effect will depend partly on the outcome of the ongoing litigation and on how employers adjust their international recruitment strategies. The separate proposal concerning the 60-day grace period is still a proposal rather than a final rule.

Source: Reuters.