• The newly introduced $100,000 fee for H-1B visas applies only to new applicants, not current holders.
• The fee is a one-time payment, not an annual charge.
• Current visa holders outside the US will not face additional charges to re-enter the country.
• Tech companies and legal experts expressed concern over the implications of the fee structure.
• Potential exemptions for physicians and medical professionals may be considered.

The White House has issued significant clarifications regarding the $100,000 fee for H-1B visas, stating that this fee applies only to new applicant petitions and is not a recurring annual charge. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that “this is NOT an annual fee. It’s a one-time fee that applies only to new visas, not renewals or current visa holders,” which addresses the uproar created by earlier statements from officials, including US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who initially suggested otherwise, according to Indiatimes and South China Morning Post.

With the new policy set to take effect from September 21, 2025, many H-1B visa holders who were abroad were cautioned not to rush back to the U.S., as they will not be subject to the new fee upon re-entry. “Those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently outside of the country right now will NOT be charged $100,000 to re-enter,” Leavitt reassured, which has been echoed by other officials, including the USCIS, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

The introduction of this steep fee has raised eyebrows within the tech industry, prompting companies such as Microsoft and Amazon to recommend that their employees with H-1B visas avoid international travel to prevent confusion and potential complications regarding visa status. Immigration and labor experts have expressed concern over how this fee might restrict the flow of skilled professionals into the U.S. economy, particularly affecting small businesses and startups, as the increase represents a substantial jump from the existing fees, according to Business Insider and Indiatimes.

In light of these developments, there are discussions about potential exemptions from the $100,000 fee, particularly for medical professionals, as reported by Bloomberg. As U.S. authorities assess the ramifications of this fee structure, there are concerns that it might have humanitarian consequences by causing disruptions for families of skilled workers, a sentiment communicated by India's Ministry of External Affairs and echoed in various industry analyses, according to Indiatimes and The Jakarta Post.