The $100k H-1B: Let's talk about it

As of September 21, 2025, the Trump administration’s $100k H-1B fee has come into play. While the initial response has been one of panic and breakdown - all witnessed via a social media flurry - there’s one question on everyone’s mind: what now?

Well, let’s pause, rewind, and reflect

Pause

Does the $100k fee rule mean that you should panic, start making a list of top destinations to live outside of the US, and mass-apply to every non-US LinkedIn opening that comes your way?

In one word, no

All you should really be doing is making the most of your weekend, getting ready for the week ahead, and not letting this $100k news affect your work performance - after all, anxiety and panic gets to the best of us. Oh, and while you’re at it - you might as well attend our virtual summit over the weekend - plenty of people who are right in the thick of it, and who better to ask about the H-1B situation than them?

Rewind

So, what exactly is a H-1B visa, and what is the $100k H-1B fee rule?

The H-1B is a category of non-immigrant visa that allows US employers to hire foreign employees in specialty occupations. Historically, students on F-1 status have used the H-1B to be able to legally work in the US. Once an F-1 student graduates, they apply for OPT - or Optional Practical Training - which ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature of your degree. It is during this time period that former F-1 students apply for the H-1B visa, which allows them to continue working in the US under employer sponsorship

On September 19, 2025, the Trump government signed the ‘Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers’ proclamation, under which a $100k fee is now levied on new H-1B visa applications filed after 12:01am Eastern on September 21, 2025

This is a one-time fee, to be paid by the sponsoring employer, and does not apply to H-1B renewals or ammendments

As a result, US firms that regularly hire from overseas - and sponsor their employees via the H-1B route - are now hit with a massive cost increase. Naturally, this is going to impact international hiring trends, the remittance economy, and company structures

Reflect

The golden question - where does this put F-1 students?

Well, technically, the $100k rule does not directly impact F-1 students seeking H-1B sponshorship via the OPT route. This is because they come under the exempt category - any employer sponsoring an F-1 OPT student will not have to pay the $100k fee

While international students should treat this news with caution, there is no need to panic. Rather, it is now more important than ever to stand out from the crowd. This means building a strong profile and utilizing your university years to gain relevant experience that will make you a valuable asset to any potential employer.

So, what does the road ahead look like for international students on F-1 status?

Simply speaking, not much different. Keep in mind that the $100k fee is a temporary rule (currently only in place for 12 months) - and may change at any moment - and companies sponsoring F-1 students face no greater financial charge than they were before September 21

To make it clearer, here’s a breakdown of when the $100k fee would apply - and when it wouldn’t:

✅ $100k fee not required

1. An F-1 student graduates in the US and applies for H-1B while on OPT

2. Current H-1B holder switching employers (transfer)

❌ $100k fee required

1. H-1B worker travels outside of the US, needs new petition upon return

2. International student applying for first H-1B from home country

How we can Help

DreamBridge is hosting a two-day virtual summit on 27-28 September where we’ll be going over the US higher education process and the details of building a career. While the H-1B visa was not initially in our range of topics, our guest speakers are highly knowledgable individuals who have successfully navigated the international student to professional route in the US themselves

At the end of each session, we’ll be holding a live Q&A where attendees are free to ask questions. If you have concerns, bring them

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Tabarak Rehman

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