The $100,000 Question: What Trump’s H-1B Fee Means Today — and Tomorrow

On September 19, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation that stunned employers and skilled workers alike. Effective September 21, 2025, all new H-1B petitions filed abroad will be subject to a $100,000 fee.

The details are straightforward but significant:

• The fee applies only to new petitions filed for workers outside the U.S.

• Existing H-1B holders and renewals are not currently included.

• The policy runs through September 2026, unless extended.

• The White House has indicated there may be case-by-case exemptions.

This announcement is just the latest reminder that immigration rules — particularly for temporary work visas — can change overnight. Employers who planned to expand their workforce now face unexpected costs. Professionals who hoped to begin careers in the U.S. are suddenly in limbo.

The bigger message here is not the fee itself, but the fragility of relying on a temporary visa. When immigration policy shifts with each administration, workers and companies are left vulnerable.

That’s why many are looking beyond temporary solutions. Permanent residency through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program provides a stable alternative. By investing $800,000 in qualified projects, families can secure a pathway to a Green Card — one that isn’t subject to annual lotteries, fee hikes, or shifting executive orders.

At EB5Healthcare.com, our Los Angeles healthcare project offers just that: an opportunity for investors to participate in a federally designated Targeted Employment Area (TEA) project while building a permanent foundation in the U.S.

H-1B policy may continue to change. A Green Card is permanent. And permanence is what families need when planning their futures.