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President Donald Trump just rolled out a major shake-up to the H-1B visa program. On September 19, 2025, he signed a proclamation called “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.” Here’s the big headline: anyone applying for a new H-1B visa after September 21, 2025, will have to pay a $100,000 fee before stepping foot in the United States. That’s not a typo. One hundred thousand dollars. Who Has to Pay, and Who Doesn’t The fee applies only to new petitions filed after the deadline. If you’re an H-1B worker who already has a visa, you’re safe. Renewals also don’t trigger the new charge. In other words, the people who need to worry are the ones filing fresh petitions to come to the U.S. under the H-1B specialty-occupation visa. Everyone else—current holders and those who already filed before September 21—gets a pass. (MORE NEWS: London: 100K Rally-Goers Unite Against Mass Immigration) How Long Will This Last? Right now, the proclamation is set to run for 12 months, ending on September 20, 2026. But like most things in Washington, that could change. Extensions are on the table, depending on how agencies like USCIS, the Department of State, and Homeland Security review the results. Why the Big Change? The White House says the move is about protecting American workers. Officials argue the H-1B system has been misused—bringing in people for lower-wage jobs instead of filling truly specialized roles. By tacking on a $100,000 fee, the administration hopes to discourage companies from using the program unless they’re hiring for top-tier positions. Alongside the fee, the Department of Labor is expected to raise wage requirements, while Homeland Security plans to favor higher-paid, higher-skilled applicants in the H-1B lottery. The idea is simple: if you’re going to bring in foreign workers, they should be the best of the best. (MORE NEWS: Al-Qaida Threat Prompts Federal Warning to Law Enforcement) The days of employers abusing H-1B Visas are over. Introducing PROJECT FIREWALL—our plan to ensure high-skilled jobs go to AMERICANS FIRST 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/XPwBJSZfto — U.S. Department of Labor (@USDOL) September 19, 2025 What This Means for Employers and Workers This shift points to more opportunities and better pay for American workers. For employers, though, the cost is steep. Hiring an H-1B worker was already expensive, and adding an extra $100,000 means companies will think twice about bringing in cheaper foreign labor. The days of tech companies laying off American workers while turning around to hire foreign replacements are coming to an end. For applicants abroad, the road ahead is tougher. They’ll need to find employers not only willing but financially able to shoulder the added cost, which could make sponsorship far less common. Congressman Brandon Gill quotes an example of H-1B Visa abuse from the proclamation in his recent X post: America is a nation, not a jobs program for foreign workers. Our H-1B visa program has been abused for far too long. pic.twitter.com/OXi4duqvcQ — Congressman Brandon Gill (@RepBrandonGill) September 20, 2025 Will There Be Exceptions? Here’s where things get a little less clear. The proclamation leaves room for “national interest” exceptions. Early signs suggest doctors and other critical workers may end up on that list. As this gets hammered out, there’s hope the administration will carve out exceptions for people whose skills the U.S. can’t afford to lose. We’ll just have to wait and see how broad—or narrow—those exceptions end up being. What You Should Do if You’re Affected Check your filing date. If your petition was filed before September 21, the new rule doesn’t touch you. Plan for the cost. If you’re filing now, factor in the fee. It’s not optional. Watch for updates. Agencies will issue more guidance in the coming weeks. Get advice. Immigration lawyers and experts can help you figure out whether you qualify for an exemption. The Bigger Picture This move is about more than paperwork. It’s part of a larger push to reshape how America handles skilled immigration. For years, the U.S. has been a magnet for global talent. Now the message is clear: if you want to come, it’s going to cost a lot more—and the bar for entry will be higher. It is long overdue and will help open doors for American graduates who’ve struggled to compete with H-1B applicants. Final Thoughts Love it or hate it, the $100,000 fee changes the game. Companies must weigh the costs against their need for specialized skills. Workers will need to plan carefully and keep an eye on how the rules evolve. One thing is certain: America’s approach to skilled immigration is shifting fast. And with exceptions still being debated—possibly for doctors and other critical workers—the final shape of this policy is far from set in stone. For now, both employers and workers should prepare. Because in this new landscape, hiring global talent just got a lot more complicated.