In a major relief for thousands of Indian professionals and students in the United States, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has clarified that recent international graduates and existing H-1B visa holders will not be required to pay the newly introduced $100,000 annual visa fee.
The clarification follows weeks of uncertainty after the Trump administration announced the steep charge for employers sponsoring skilled foreign workers, effective from September 21, 2025. The move had sparked panic among Indian workers, tech firms, and immigration lawyers.
According to the latest USCIS guidance, the $100,000 fee will not apply to individuals already in the US on valid visas, including F-1 students, L-1 intra-company transferees, and H-1B holders seeking extensions or renewals. The agency also reassured that visa holders can travel freely in and out of the country.
This exemption especially benefits Indian nationals, who make up nearly 70% of all new H-1B allocations. Around 300,000 Indians currently work in the US under the programme, primarily in IT and engineering sectors.
Previously, visa costs ranged from $215 to $5,000 depending on employer size. Experts had warned that the $100,000 fee, 20 to 100 times higher, could devastate the H-1B system by pricing out smaller firms and startups.
For India, the H-1B route has long symbolised opportunity and upward mobility. Many Indian-American families trace their success back to this visa programme, which has been vital for both Indian IT giants like Infosys and Wipro, and American tech leaders such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft.
The new policy had also triggered a political backlash in India. Opposition leaders criticised the Modi government for not safeguarding Indian professionals&rsquo; interests. Responding from Gujarat, the Prime Minister reiterated his call for self-reliance and reduced dependence on foreign employment avenues.
With the USCIS clarification, the immediate panic among Indian students and professionals has eased, but uncertainty remains over future reforms under Trump&rsquo;s administration.

USCIS confirms relief for Indian professionals, exempting visa holders from new fees

US Eases $100K H-1B Fee for Indian Workers

USCIS confirms relief for Indian professionals, exempting visa holders from new fees

October 21, 2025 | 16:07 IST