H-1B Visa Petitions Without US$100000 Payment Proof to Be Denied: USCIS

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that H-1B visa petitions filed under the new US$100,000 payment rule will be rejected if they do not include valid proof of payment from the official federal portal, pay.gov.

This clarification comes after a new proclamation signed by US President Donald Trump on September 19, 2025, which introduced the mandatory payment for all new H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025.

What Does the New Rule for H-1B Visa Petitions Say?

According to the latest USCIS guidance, every new H-1B petition must include a copy of the official payment confirmation or receipt issued by pay.gov. If the proof is missing, the petition will be automatically denied.

Only those who have received an exemption from the Secretary of Homeland Security can file without this payment. The agency emphasized that this US$100,000 payment is now a required condition for eligibility under the new rule.

Who Is Affected by This?

The rule applies only to new H-1B petitions (including those filed for the fiscal year 2026 lottery) and not to renewals or existing visa holders. Current H-1B employees or those extending their visas do not need to pay this amount.

This means that companies or individuals filing a fresh H-1B petition must now pay the US$100,000 fee and include valid payment proof during the submission process. Missing this step will result in automatic denial, regardless of other eligibility factors.

Purpose Behind the Change

The US$100,000 payment has been introduced as part of broader reforms aimed at tightening the H-1B visa process. The US government has stated that the goal is to ensure that only highly skilled professionals are sponsored under the program.

The new measure is also seen as part of efforts to reduce misuse of the H-1B system and to encourage companies to prioritize local hiring before seeking foreign talent.

Read more: PM-Kisan 21st Instalment: J&K Farmers Received an Advanced Payment; What’s the Timeline for Others?

Conclusion

The new US$100,000 payment rule marks a major shift in the H-1B visa process, significantly increasing the financial burden on employers and applicants. With USCIS making proof of payment a mandatory requirement, any petition filed without it will be immediately denied. The rule aims to make the visa system more selective, giving opportunities only to the most qualified and essential foreign professionals.

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