USCIS Issues Official Statement on New H-1B Fee: GCEB1 Provides Clarity

IRVING, Texas - Sept. 23, 2025 - PRLog -- Irving, Texas, 23/09/2025:

GCEB1, a leading consultancy in the field of U.S. immigration, has called for clarity and calm following the latest announcement by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) concerning the H-1B visa programme.

On September 21, 2025, USCIS confirmed that all new H-1B petitions filed after midnight Eastern Daylight Time will be subject to a mandatory $100,000 fee. This measure, which automatically extends to the 2026 H-1B lottery, marks one of the most significant changes to the programme in recent years.

Contrary to circulating speculation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has clarified that current H-1B visa holders will face no travel restrictions. The fee, instead, applies solely to new petitioners, who will be denied entry to the United States if their application is unaccompanied by the stipulated payment. Importantly, renewals remain exempt from the new levy, with USCIS confirming it is a one-time submission fee for fresh petitions.

Further reforms are underway. The Department of Labor has signalled forthcoming adjustments to wage levels, reinforcing the administration's intent to position the H-1B programme as a gateway only for "the best of the best" among global professionals. In an accompanying proclamation, the President underlined the policy's purpose to curb abuses and protect American workers, while retaining a system that prioritises highly skilled, high-paid talent.

While speculation continues about the long-term future of the H-1B lottery, USCIS has affirmed that the mechanism will remain, though recalibrated to favour applicants at higher wage levels.

In light of these developments, GCEB1 urges skilled professionals to explore more stable immigration pathways. "The EB-1A Green Card represents a strategic alternative," said a spokesperson for GCEB1. "For aspirants seeking U.S. permanent residency, our tailored mentorship can help navigate shifting landscapes and fast-track eligibility."

Professionals are more likely to incline towards EB-1A consultants (https://gceb1.com/) to explore other employment based pathways, the spokesperson added.

With H-1B becoming a precarious program, many professionals are preparing themselves to qualify for other visa programs.