US Clarifies $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Rules: Relief for Existing Workers
2 Min Read
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released its final guidance on the newly introduced $100,000 H-1B visa petition fee, bringing long-awaited clarity for thousands of international students.
The update confirms that students currently in the United States on valid F-1 visas or OPT/CPT will not be affected by the new fee when applying for an H-1B change of status.
What This Means for Students
The $100,000 fee applies only to new H-1B petitions filed for individuals outside the U.S., or for employers sponsoring foreign nationals not already residing in the country.
Renewals, extensions, and internal transfers of existing H-1B status remain unaffected.
In other words, if you are studying, interning, or working in the U.S. under F-1, OPT, or CPT, and your employer files an H-1B petition for you while you are in the country, you’re exempt from the new charge.
This clarification provides major relief for international graduates who were concerned about rising costs and uncertain immigration rules. It ensures that the traditional F-1 → OPT/CPT → H-1B pathway remains financially accessible and intact.
Why This Matters
The U.S. continues to be a top destination for STEM-qualified professionals, with strong employment prospects and competitive salaries.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the National Science Board (NSB):
- Total STEM employment reached 10.78 million in 2024 and is projected to grow to 11.65 million by 2034, an 8.1% increase.
- The median annual wage for STEM occupations is around USD 103,580, nearly double the national median.
- STEM managerial roles average above USD 161,000, while AI-related and research positions are expected to grow by 26% by 2033 with median salaries near USD 140,000.
- STEM professionals now represent one-quarter of the total U.S. workforce, underscoring their importance to innovation and national competitiveness.
These figures reaffirm the long-term value of a U.S. education in STEM, combining world-class academics with career growth opportunities through the OPT-to-H-1B transition.
The Bottom Line
After weeks of confusion, the USCIS clarification offers a reassuring message: international students already in the U.S. are safe from the $100K H-1B fee.
For now, students can focus on building their skills, completing their studies, and preparing for the next step in their U.S. career journey, without the financial uncertainty that loomed earlier.
Source: NDTV NEWS
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