Current H-1B visa holders and international students in the US are finding themselves at the right place at the right time.

According to new guidance released by the Trump administration, U.S. employers hiring F-1 students for the H-1B visa program will not be required to pay the $100k petition fee. Also, US employers filing petitions for current H-1B holders seeking ‘extension of stay’ will not have to pay the exorbitant fee of $100k.

This means, current F-1 visa holders in the US who wish to switch to an H-1B visa will not be impacted by the $100k fee.

The new H-1B guidance released on October 20 states – If a petition filed after September 21, 2025, requests a change of status or amendment or extension of stay and USCIS determines that the alien is ineligible for a change of status o

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