Jasmine Grover Study Abroad Expert
Study Abroad Expert | Updated On - Sep 21, 2025
What's New?
20 September 2025: H-1B Visa Fee Raised to $100,000 – Trump’s New Order Could Impact Indian Tech Workers. Check details.
The H-1B visa is a critical work visa for international students who wish to stay and work in the U.S. after graduating. The H-1B visa landscape has undergone a historic change with a new $100,000 annual fee. This is the most significant update to the program in decades and it fundamentally alters the path for international students and employers alike. Here’s what you need to know.
The H1B visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations temporarily—jobs that require theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor's degree. The visa is initially valid for 3 years and can be extended for a total of up to 3 years.
To be eligible for an H-1B visa, you must:
- Hold a full-time job offer in a specialty occupation from a sponsoring U.S. employer.
- Have a bachelor's or master's degree in a specialist field of study.
- Demonstrate a valid employer-employee relationship.
- Be paid the prevailing wage for the job and location, as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor.
However, securing jobs in USA itself is a big hurdle, let alone obtaining a H1B Visa. Hence, students often apply for OPT during or after graduation to earn valuable experience. With OPT, one can get a work authorization visa in USA for up to 1 year. Soon after receiving a full-time job offer in USA, you are eligible for an H1B Visa.
The annual visa cap is 85,000, with 20,000 visas reserved for master's and doctoral graduates from U.S. universities. Because demand for these visas consistently exceeds the available supply, USCIS uses a lottery system to select eligible applicants. You can also bring your spouse or family members after receiving an H-1B visa.
Also Read: Options After Studying in USA
How to Apply for H1B Visa?
You can apply for an H1B Visa once you meet all the requirements and have accepted the job offer from the sponsoring company. One must hold a job offer before applying for a H1B Visa in USA to avoid further delay in Visa processing.
- Your sponsoring employer must apply for Labor Condition Approval from the Department of Labor. This includes job role, working conditions, salary and benefits. Get this done before March and to receive a visa approval by April.
- Upon receiving LCA approval, a Form-129 and other supporting documents submitted by your employer.
- Complete the visa process and interview after getting selected for the visa lottery.
One can start working full-time in USA from October 1 after receiving the H1B visa.
Documents Required
- Diploma and degree transcripts
- Resume or CV
- License required to work in USA
- Labor Condition Application
- Offer letter for full-time job in USA
- Copy of H1B petition
- Passport copy
- US immigration documents (including previous immigration documents such as F-1 student visa).
- Form I-94 to show arrival-departure dates if the beneficiary is in the US already
- SEVIS form I-20 if beneficiary is former/current F-1 or F-2 Visa dependent.
- SEVIS form DS-2019 if beneficiary is former/current J-1 or J-2 Visa holder.
- Employer/Attorney/Representative letter(s)
- Form I-907 (for applicants eligible for premium processing)
Also Check: How to Convert OPT to H-1B Visa
H1B Visa Fees: Latest Update 2025
H1B Visa Change - The New $100,000 Annual Fee
On September 20, 2025, a new proclamation was signed by President Donald Trump that introduces a $100,000 annual fee for new H-1B visa applications. This fee is a supplemental charge and is expected to be paid by the employer. It is intended to curb the program's use and protect American jobs. The fee, which applies to H-1B visa holders entering the U.S. after September 21, 2025, is a major barrier for both companies and prospective employees. This is the most significant change to the H-1B program in history.
The following fees will be applicable on a case-to-case basis for the final petition:
| Fee Category | Amount (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Annual Fee | $100,000 | Applies to new H-1B petitions for workers entering the U.S. from abroad; annual, not one-time |
| H-1B Registration Fee | $215 | Paid for each beneficiary registered in the H-1B lottery |
| I-129 Form Fee | $780 ($460 for small employers/nonprofits) | Base petition fee |
| ACWIA Education & Training Fee | $750 (≤25 employees) / $1,500 (>25) | Supports U.S. worker education and training |
| Fraud Prevention & Detection Fee | $500 | Paid for initial petitions and employer changes |
| Public Law 114-113 Fee | $4,000 | Applies if employer has 50+ employees and >50% are on H-1B/L-1 visas |
| Asylum Program Fee | $600 ($300 for small employers) | Most employers pay (nonprofits exempt) |
| Premium Processing Fee (optional) | $2,805 | Expedites petition to 15 calendar days |
Each fee needs to be separately paid and separate checks are to be submitted along with the petition.
Also Check: Application Fees for Different Types of Non-immigrant Visas in USA
H1B Visa Registration Dates
The tentative H-1B visa registration dates for the fiscal year 2027 (employment starting October 1, 2026) are as follows:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 2026 (likely early to mid-March) | H1B Visa Registration Begins |
| March 2026 (exact deadline TBD by USCIS, typically after about 2-3 weeks) | H-1B Registration Closes |
| Expected by April 2026 | Tentative date for USCIS to notify selected applicants |
| April to June 2026 | Petition filing window |
| October 1, 2026 | Start of emplyment |
H1B Visa- Dependents and Family
The spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of the H-1B Visa holders can seek admission to the US under the H4 non-immigrant classification. To be eligible for the H4 dependent spouse visa programs:
- Your spouse must be a principal beneficiary of an approved Form I-140, or,
- Your spouse has been given the H-1B visa status under the sections 106(a) and (b) of the AC21.
To apply for the H-4 visa, applicants need to file a Form I-765. The documents required to apply for the H-4 Visa are as follows:
- Birth Certificate with photo ID
- A scanned/photo copy of last Employment Authorization Document (if applicable)
- A scanned/photo copy of the biometric page of the passport
- A national photo ID
- Copy of marriage certificate
- Proof of your spouse’s H-1B Visa status.
Tips for H-1B Visa Applicants
Given the high denial rates and heavy competition for the H-1B Visa, applicants are advised to pay attention to the entire petition filing process. Below are some tips that petitioners can follow to avoid any delays or denials:
- If you are filing by an attorney or other accredited representative, you need to submit a carefully filled Form G-28.
- Ensure that you have entered the “Beneficiary Confirmation Number” on the H-Classification Supplement.
- Ensure that the petition is signed
- Ensure that the information provided during the electronic registration platform is the same as that on the petition.
- Include a copy of the beneficiary's address.
Also Read: Types of Work Visa in USA
With a number of aliens coming to the United States to work, getting an H1B visa is a life-changing opportunity for anyone looking to work in the country. The H1B visa requires the highest quality of documentation in order to give your petition a chance at success. Currently, only 85,000 visas are being offered to qualifying foreign workers and international students. However, 20,000 of these visas are reserved for master's and doctoral degree holder from US universities.
FAQs
Ques. When should one apply for an H-1B Visa?
Ans. Applicants should apply for H1B visa not earlier than six months from the date of start of employment in USA.
Ques. What to do if the prospective beneficiary does not have a last name?
Ans. If the beneficiary has only one name, then it should be entered as the last name. Check options for “Beneficiary does not have a first name”.
Ques. What if I choose the incorrect account type while registering on my.USCIS.gov online?
Ans. You will not be able to switch to a different account by yourself. Choose either H-1B Registrant or Legal Representative, as applicable, in the beginning itself.
Ques. Where to mail your H-1B Visa Petition?
Ans. For regular processing, the petitions are to be mailed to the California Service Center (CSC), the Vermont Service Center (VSC), the Nebraska Service Center (NSC), or the Texas Service Center (TSC) depending on where the petitioner is located.
Ques. How to mail multiple petitions together for H1B Visa?
Ans. Place individual petitions into separate envelopes and then mail as one package.
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