The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued new guidance explaining who must pay the controversial $100,000 H-1B fee, how to pay it, and how to apply for exemptions.

The fee was introduced through a presidential proclamation on September 19, 2025, and has caused widespread confusion among employers because earlier federal guidance did not clearly explain when the fee applies.

This has already led to legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on October 16, 2025, and another by a group of plaintiffs earlier that month.

The H-1B visa is one of the most important pathways for high-skilled foreign professionals to work in the United States. Many international students, especially in engineering and technology fields, depend on it to stay

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