For persons who hold H1B visas from the USA who are currently abroad, Prof. Mike Worobey at Univ of Arizona shared the following info. If he is correct, this is critical info for anyone on H1B who is out of the USA at present and planning to return. Or who is in the USA and was planning to attend conferences, or otherwise travel outside the USA.
@worobey.bsky.social - My understanding is that the situation for H1B visa holders outside the US today is urgent: if a current H-1B holder seeks entry into the U.S. after 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 21, 2025, it is too late to avoid the fee—entry will be restricted without the newly-imposed $100,000 employer payment.I have heard of a few institutions recommending their H1Bs get back into the country by midnight tonight.
I also came across this article: Trump administration tries to tamp down panic for high-skill visa holders after last-minute overhaul -
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-administration-tries-to-tamp-down-panic-for-high-skill-visa-holders-after-last-minute-overhaul/ar-AA1MXKpM in which "they" are saying the fee does not apply to current H1B holders. But there is nothing in the actual order that says that, so implementation could be all over the board.
EDIT 21 Sept: Head of Commerce Dept is saying this will be an annual fee. White House says it only applies to new H1B. Both statements quoted in the same article. -
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/20/business/h-1b-fee-trump-immigration-workersWhite House says it only applies to new H1B -