On September 19, 2025, the President issued a Proclamation entitled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, marking the first step in reforms to the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program.

Under the Proclamation, any H-1B petition filed on or after 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 21, 2025, must include an additional $100,000 payment as a condition precedent to eligibility.

Pursuant to Section 1(c) of the Proclamation, petitioners must concurrently submit either:

1. Documentation evidencing payment via Pay.gov, or
2. Evidence of an exemption granted by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Petitions submitted without proof of payment or an approved exemption will be denied without further review.

For detailed guidance on compliance, including procedures for remitting the $100,000 payment, petitioners should consult the H-1B Specialty Occupation Webpage. Strict adherence to these requirements is essential for the proper filing and adjudication of H-1B petitions.

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H-1B Specialty Occupations | USCIS

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