Overview

• The $100,000 surcharge now applies to first‑time H‑1B petitions filed on or after Sept. 21, while petitions filed earlier and most current visa holders are excluded under initial agency guidance.
• Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told employees the company will keep sponsoring H‑1B workers and absorb the cost, and an outside estimate suggested a potential $147 million outlay if applied to its 2025 approvals.
• Universities, rural school districts and Houston‑area health systems report hiring disruptions and budget pressures, citing risks to research, classrooms and clinical staffing.
• Agencies have clarified some exemptions but have not detailed fee collection mechanics or waiver criteria, with additional implementation steps not expected until early 2026.
• A coalition of universities, unions, healthcare and religious groups filed suit on Oct. 3 in the Northern District of California seeking an injunction, alleging the proclamation exceeds executive authority and violates administrative law.