Overview

• The one-time charge set by presidential proclamation took effect on September 21 and applies to new H‑1B petitions filed thereafter.
• White House and USCIS guidance says existing H‑1B holders and routine renewals are not subject to the new fee.
• Tech employers issued urgent travel and hiring guidance as costs spiked, and analysts warn of increased offshoring and added strain on startups.
• Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged a proposal to recruit affected workers, with the UK, Germany, and China also courting talent, including China’s new K Visa launching October 1 for young STEM professionals.
• The administration defends the fee as a response to H‑1B abuse and a jobs-first policy, while immigration groups and attorneys say they are weighing legal challenges.