Community Update: H1-B Visa Changes
A Presidential Proclamation issued Sept. 19 requires a $100,000 fee for any new H-1B visa petitions. The effective date of the proclamation was 12:01 a.m. EDT on Sunday, September 21, 2025, and it is set to expire after one year.
Duke employees holding H-1B visas currently outside the U.S. may return without being subjected to the new fee, which does not apply in the following circumstances:
- Any previously issued H-1B visas, or any H-1B petitions submitted prior to 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on September 21, 2025;
- Any H-1B renewals or extensions. The fee is a one-time fee on submission of a new H-1B petition; and
- Holders of a current H-1B visas traveling in and out of the United States.
Note: On Sept. 20, Duke Visa Services (DVS) messaged all Duke-sponsored H-1B visa holders to inform them of the proclamation. Consistent with legal guidance based on the language in the proclamation, at that time DVS urged employees on H-1Bs who were currently outside the U.S. to return before midnight on September 20th in order to avoid the new fee. DVS also advised H-1B visa holders in the U.S. to remain here and avoid international travel for the time being.
On Sept. 21, once, the administration published a clarifying FAQ, DVS sent out a second email to H-1B visa holders retracting the recommendation against international travel and informing employees currently outside the U.S. that they would be able to return after September 21st without being subjected to the new fee.
There are still many unanswered questions about the new fee, and DVS will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide additional updates as soon as new information is received.
Last updated 09/22/2025