US H-1B Visa Fee Hike: Existing Holders Exempt, New Applicants Affected

The US government has clarified that the new $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visas will not impact current holders re-entering the country or renewing their visas. The fee will apply to new applicants in the upcoming H-1B lottery cycle. Tech companies like Microsoft, JPMorgan, and Amazon advised employees to return to the US before the deadline to avoid the new fee, but the clarification has eased concerns for H-1B visa holders.