Confusion Over H-1B Visa Fee Cleared: Trump Administration Grants Major Relief to Indian Students and Tech Experts
The Voice of Chandigarh :
In a significant clarification that comes as a relief to thousands of Indian professionals and students, the Trump administration has announced that the newly introduced $100,000 H-1B visa fee will not apply to certain categories of applicants — particularly those already in the United States seeking a change of status from F-1 student or L-1 employment visas to H-1B status.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that the steep new fee — equivalent to around ₹88 lakh — will apply only to new H-1B petitions where the beneficiary is outside the United States and has never previously held an H-1B visa.
Who Is Exempt
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Applicants currently in the U.S. on F-1, L-1, or other valid non-immigrant visas who are filing for a change of status to H-1B.
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Existing H-1B visa holders seeking extensions, transfers, or amendments within the United States.
This clarification has eased concerns among thousands of Indian STEM graduates studying in U.S. universities who were worried about the massive additional cost while transitioning to work visas.
Who Must Pay the Fee
The $100,000 fee still applies to:
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First-time H-1B applicants outside the U.S., whose employers file fresh petitions after September 21, 2025.
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Applicants opting for consular processing instead of a change of status within the country.
🇮🇳 Relief for Indian Techies and Students
The announcement is being widely welcomed in India’s technology and education sectors. Many Indian tech professionals working in the U.S. said the exemption would protect the country’s skilled workforce pipeline and prevent companies from shifting hiring away from Indian talent due to cost pressures.
Immigration analysts say the decision also avoids discouraging Indian students who invest heavily in U.S. higher education with the goal of gaining practical work experience under the H-1B program.
What’s Next
Legal experts caution that while the clarification resolves immediate confusion, broader challenges to the Trump administration’s visa fee policy may still arise in U.S. courts. For now, the exemption offers welcome clarity — and a big financial relief — to thousands of Indian students and professionals pursuing their American dream.
