The White House on Saturday issued a major clarification that the newly announced $100,000 H-1B visa fee will be a 'one-time' payment that will be imposed on new applicants only.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued the clarification and wrote on X: "This is NOT an annual fee. It’s a one-time fee that applies only to the petition."

She further said: "Those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently outside of the country right now will NOT be charged $100,000 to re-enter."

In her clarification, she further said: "H-1B visa holders can leave and re-enter the country to the same extent as they normally would; whatever ability they have to do that is not impacted by yesterday’s proclamation."

She said the rule will only apply to new applicants and not in the case of renewals or current visa holders.

"It will first apply in the next upcoming lottery cycle," she said.

US President Donald Trump has signed a petition that will impose $100,000 application fee for H-1B visas.

The announcement sparked a strong reaction from the tech world, with a large number of Indian professionals applying for it every year.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) further clarified that the new rule will not apply to petitions filed before September 21.

The USCIS wrote on X: "President Trump’s new H-1B visa requirement applies only to NEW, prospective petitions that have not yet been filed." "Petitions submitted prior to September 21, 2025 are not affected," the X post said.

Indian government reacts

India on Saturday said the full implications of the United States’ decision to impose a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas are currently being studied, but added that the measure taken by the President Donald Trump-led administration is likely to have 'humanitarian consequences'.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said: "The Government has seen reports related to the proposed restrictions on the US H1B visa program. The full implications of the measure are being studied by all concerned, including by Indian industry, which has already put out an initial analysis clarifying some perceptions related to the H1B program."

The MEA said: "Industry in both India and the US has a stake in innovation and creativity and can be expected to consult on the best path forward."

The Ministry emphasised that skilled talent mobility and exchanges have significantly contributed to technological development, innovation, economic growth, competitiveness, and wealth creation in the United States and India.

"Policy makers will therefore assess recent steps taking into account mutual benefits, which include strong people-to-people ties between the two countries," the statement said.

The MEA said the Indian government hopes that these disruptions can be addressed suitably by the US authorities.