USCIS Provides Clarification on H-1B Visa Fees and Brings Relief for International Applicants

IRVING, Texas - Oct. 22, 2025 - PRLog -- Irving, Texas, October 22, 2025: In a long-awaited clarification, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has outlined specific exemptions to the recently introduced H-1B visa fee, offering a measure of relief to international students and professionals. The clarification confirms that the $100,000 H-1B visa fee will not apply to petitions filed before the September 21 deadline, as well as extensions and status changes submitted from within the United States. For thousands of applicants who feared being priced out of the process, the announcement provides a rare moment of stability in an uncertain policy climate.

GCEB1, an established EB-1A green card consultancy (https://gceb1.com/) known for its mentorship-based approach to extraordinary ability petitions, described the update as a "critical reset" for skilled workers and students charting their long-term immigration strategy.

"Policy consistency is important," said a senior advisor at GCEB1. "By clarifying the scope of the H-1B visa fee, USCIS has restored a degree of predictability for applicants who are planning both short-term work authorization and long-term residency options."

As one of India's leading EB-1A consultants, GCEB1 continues to assist professionals seeking the EB-1A route to permanent residence: a category requiring demonstrable achievement in one's field rather than a job offer. The firm notes that many clients transitioning from the H-1B visa category can now redirect resources toward strengthening their EB-1A profiles.

GCEB1 also urges eligible applicants to take advantage of this policy clarity to reassess their pathways, whether through an H-1B extension or an EB-1A petition that positions them for long-term success in the United States.