Press Release · Regulatory Alert · September 25, 2025
New Presidential Proclamation Imposes $100,000 H-1B Fee; ImmigrationExam.us Urges Evaluation of Timing and Alternatives
Sudden fee targets new H-1B entrants — after 12:01 a.m. ET on Sept. 21, 2025. Timing and choice of status can significantly affect exposure to the fee.
A presidential proclamation requires a $100,000 payment with any new H-1B petition filed on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern on September 21, 2025.
The proclamation does not apply to H-1B petitions that were filed before the effective time, to already-approved petitions, or to individuals holding valid H-1B visas issued prior to that time.
Form I-693, the immigration medical exam form, remains an important and time-sensitive document for many adjustment-of-status filings. USCIS has clear rules on which edition of the I-693 is accepted and on how long a signed form retains evidentiary value. Proper timing for the medical exam can matter for concurrent filings.
For holders of current H-1B authorizations who face renewal or who are considering a new petition, several alternative approaches are commonly reviewed by immigration counsel. These alternatives can, depending on facts and timing, affect whether a new H-1B petition (and the associated fee) would be required:
- Cap-exempt employment with qualifying schools, nonprofit research entities, or affiliated institutions.
- Transfer or extension of an existing H-1B where the beneficiary was previously counted against the H-1B cap.
- Other nonimmigrant classifications such as L-1 (intra-company transfer), O-1 (extraordinary ability), or TN (for eligible Canadian and Mexican nationals), when eligible.
- Employer-sponsored immigrant petition or consular processing strategies that change the timing or need for a new H-1B filing.
“This proclamation changes the filing landscape for new H-1B petitions while preserving prior approvals and valid H-1B visas from the immediate charge. Careful coordination of medical exams, form editions, and filing sequence with immigration counsel and civil-surgeon providers can reduce the chance that a case becomes subject to the new fee.”
ImmigrationExam.us provides USCIS-approved I-693 medical examinations in St. Louis and posts current service information and scheduling options online. Information about medical-exam appointments and required documentation is available at immigrationexam.us. Professional legal advice should be sought for case-specific decisions about visa class changes or fee exposure.