US H1B Visa Updated Fees 2026 – A Complete Guide for Indian Applicants & U.S. Employer

Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee, and many think it’s bad news for everyone. But the truth is more balanced than it sounds.

The new rule mainly impacts employers hiring workers from outside the U.S., not international students already studying or working on F-1, OPT, or STEM OPT visas. In fact, this update could benefit U.S.-educated graduates, giving them a stronger edge when employers choose whom to sponsor.

So before drawing conclusions, let’s break down what the US H1B Visa Updated Fees 2026 actually mean, who needs to pay, and how it could reshape opportunities for international students and U.S. companies alike.

What has changed After US Incresed H1B Visa Fees?

The key change: On 19 September 2025, Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a US$100,000 fee on new H1B visa petitions filed or approved on or after 12:01 a.m. ET on 21 September 2025.

Important clarifications:

• The $100,000 fee is for new petitions filed after the effective date, not for renewals or existing visa holders.
  
• The fee applies per petition or beneficiary.
  
• The aim is to prioritize top-tier hires, discourage mass offshore hiring of lower-skilled foreign workers, and protect U.S. wages.
  
  

Who pays the new fee? Who is subject to it?

Who pays:

• The fee is payable by the employer or petitioner sponsoring the H1B worker.
  
• The foreign worker beneficiary does not directly pay the fee, though employer costs may affect negotiations.
  
• Employers already used to standard fees must now budget for this dramatic increase.
  

Who is subject:

• Any new H1B petition filed for a beneficiary outside the U.S. after the effective date.
  
• Petitioners seeking to bring a foreign national from abroad on H1B status under the cap or otherwise.
  
• Not subject: existing H1B visa holders located in the U.S., approved petitions filed prior to the effective date, or certain amendments or extensions unless guidance changes.
  

To summarize: If you are an employer in India or a U.S.–India company seeking to bring a foreign hire into the U.S. under H1B for the first time after the cut-off, the $100K fee applies. If you are already on H1B or your petition was filed earlier, this does not apply.

Impact on Indian Applicants & U.S. Tech Sector After H1B Incresed Fees

India has been the largest source of H1B visa holders, with roughly 70% of approvals in recent years for cap-subject petitions.

Key impacts:

• For many Indian IT services firms that hire large numbers of H1B workers, the cost advantage is seriously affected.
  
  
• U.S. tech firms and consulting companies may reduce foreign hiring and increase domestic recruitment to upskill U.S. workers.
  
  
• For Indian graduates already in the U.S. on F1/OPT/STEM, the new policy is not harmful since the new fee does not apply to you directly, though employer willingness to sponsor may change.
  
  
• Analysts estimate this could reduce roughly 5,500 H1B authorizations per month for companies overseas due to the cost barrier.
  
  

What about students and graduates in the U.S. after this change?

Good news for those already in the U.S. under F1/OPT or STEM extension:

• The new fee does not apply to petitions that were filed or approved before the effective date or for renewals of existing H1B holders.
  
  
• If you have an employer ready to file your H1B and you are already in the U.S., your transition may be unaffected by the $100K increase depending on timing.
  
  
• Employer attitudes may still change, so early filing is wise.
  
  

H1B Visa Fees in Indian Rupees (approximation)

Here’s a quick approximate conversion for Indian applicants or employers. Always check current USD/INR rates when budgeting.

*Assuming an approximate exchange rate of ₹83 = US$1. Rates fluctuate.

Deadline & Timeline: What you should know

• The key cut-off is 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on 21 September 2025. Petitions filed after that must comply unless exempt.
  
  
• The FY 2026 H1B cap registration period opened 7 March and closed 24 March.
  
  
• If you are targeting the cap for Indian graduates or other foreign nationals, you should work with your employer or consultant now to assess eligibility, filing strategy, and whether your case may fall under exemption or national interest carve-outs.
  
  
• Companies should now review budgets, timelines, and strategies for hiring.
  
  

What this means for employers & consultants

As an employer or consultancy sponsoring H1B candidates, here are key actions to consider:

• Re-evaluate the business case for hiring overseas versus domestic recruitment given the major fee increase.
  
  
• Check whether the candidate qualifies for any exemption or national interest exception.
  
  
• Budget for the $100K fee for any petition after the cut-off date.
  
  
• If filing petitions for beneficiaries already in the U.S., confirm whether they qualify under the old fee structure.
  
  
• Prepare candidates and HR teams in advance so everyone understands the change clearly.
  
  

Strategic Steps & Recommendations

• If you are in India aiming for an H1B, talk to your employer or consultant about whether the filing will fall under the new or old structure.
  
  
• If you are a U.S. graduate on F1/OPT, act early since your job prospects are still strong.
  
  
• Employers should build the $100K fee into their budget and plan strategically.
  
  
• Consultancies should guide clients on alternative visa routes like L1 or O1 if H1B costs become restrictive.
  
  
• Keep updated as policy challenges or exemptions may arise over time.
  
  

Conclusion - H1B Incresed Fees in US

The US H1B program is witnessing one of its most dramatic changes with the introduction of the $100,000 fee for new petitions after 21 September 2025. For Indian applicants and employers, this shift is significant but manageable. If you are already in the U.S., your existing path may remain unaffected. If you are about to apply, timing, preparation, and smart strategy are key.

At Angel EduNext, we help international students, professionals, and employers navigate these changes with clarity and confidence.
Consult Angel EduNext today to understand how the updated H1B visa fees and policies affect your case and get expert guidance for a smooth process.

FAQs Related Incresed Fees of H1B

1. Who pays the $100,000 H1B visa fee?
The fee is paid by the petitioning employer or sponsor of the H1B visa for new petitions filed after the effective date. The foreign worker does not directly pay the fee.

2. How much is the H1B visa fee in 2025 or 2026?
For petitions filed after 21 September 2025, the one-time fee is US$100,000 per beneficiary or petition. Prior fees like lottery registration ($215) and petition ($780) still apply to earlier filings.

3. Who is subject to the $100,000 fee?
Employers filing for a foreign national under H1B from abroad or new to H1B status after the cut-off must pay the fee. Existing H1B holders and earlier filings are not affected.

4. What are the US H1B visa fees in Indian Rupees?
At ₹83 per dollar, the US$100,000 fee equals around ₹83 lakh. Previous H1B filing costs of about US$1,700–4,500 equaled ₹1.4–3.7 lakh.

5. Did Trump add a new $100,000 fee for H1B visas?
Yes. A proclamation signed on 19 September 2025 by President Trump introduced the new fee for H1B petitions filed after 21 September 2025.

6. Is there any H1B application deadline in 2026?
Yes. The FY 2026 H1B cap registration period opened on 7 March 2025 and closed on 24 March 2025.

7. What is the new rule for H1B in 2025?
The new rule effective 21 September 2025 requires a US$100,000 fee for new H1B petitions filed after that date, unless exempt.

8. H1B spouse visa requirements?
Spouses of H1B holders apply under H4 classification. Requirements include valid H1B status, marriage certificate, and filing Form I-539 with USCIS.

9. H1B spouse visa processing time?
Processing varies by service center and volume. It may take several months, and premium processing is not always available for H4 applicants.

10. Are spouses of H1B visa holders allowed to work?
Only H4 spouses with an approved Employment Authorization Document (EAD) can work in the U.S. This is unaffected by the $100K fee policy.

11. Can an H1B spouse work in the USA without EAD?
No. Without an EAD, H4 spouses are not legally permitted to work.

12. Who has to pay $100,000 for an H1B visa?
The employer or petitioner must pay the $100,000 one-time fee per new H1B petition filed after the cut-off date.