H‑1B $100K fee squeezes hiring
The first major hiring season under the new $100,000 H‑1B fee is creating uncertainty across tech — firms and candidates are scrambling as application windows close and hiring models shift reported. Personal fallout is already visible: stories surfaced of OPT workers left jobless after promised H‑1B sponsorship evaporated, highlighting real risk for international grads reported.
The $100,000 charge was imposed as a one‑time payment for “new” H‑1B petitions filed after 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 21, 2025, according to the presidential proclamation. natlawreview.com The rule targets new hires coming from abroad and excludes petitions filed before the effective date and certain renewals, a clarification repeated in USCIS and legal advisories. visaverge.com Early indicators show fewer filings: one analysis cited an estimated government revenue drop of about $20 million tied to reduced visa activity, while regional employers report pausing foreign hires. msn.com Recruiting shifts are visible in public job language — major consultancies and retailers have posted roles requiring current U.S. work authorization or “no sponsorship” language — and staffing firms are predicted to cede many slots to firms able to absorb the fee. visaverge.com Timing and status mechanics intensified personal fallout: the H‑1B cap for FY2026 closed on July 18, 2025, cap‑gap rules were updated Jan. 17, 2025, and an increasing number of F‑1/OPT graduates reported lost sponsorships as employers reassessed filings. visaverge.com The fee is nominally set to apply for 12 months through Sept. 21, 2026 unless extended, and DHS/State reviewers will verify payment with limited national‑interest exemptions available, leaving employers and applicants watching the next lottery cycle for formal guidance. visaverge.com
