The US immigration landscape has recently experienced one of its most significant changes—the introduction of a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions by the Trump administration. This announcement caused concern especially among international students on F-1 visas aiming to transition to work status through the H-1B program. But what does this new fee truly mean for you, the international student looking to build a career in the United States? Let’s clear up the confusion and break down what you really need to know.
The Good News: Fee Exemptions for F-1 Students Changing Status in the US
Official communications from the White House and USCIS have clarified an important relief for international students. If you are currently in the US on an F-1 visa, possibly pursuing Optional Practical Training (OPT) or a STEM OPT extension, and you apply to change your status to H-1B within the US, you will not be required to pay the $100,000 fee. This fee applies only to new petitions filed for beneficiaries outside the US without valid H-1B status.
This means you can continue your education, work on OPT, and then smoothly transition to professional employment on an H-1B without the financial burden of this steep new fee. Even if you travel abroad after your petition is approved to get your H-1B visa stamped at a consulate in your home country, you remain exempt from this fee as long as your petition was filed and approved while you were in the US.
How Does the New H-1B Lottery Work? The Salary-Based Weighting System Explained
Alongside the fee, the administration proposed a major shift to the H-1B lottery system, which now prioritizes applicants based on the salary level offered, under a four-tier wage structure established by the Department of Labor:
- Level 1 (L1): Entry-level wage, typically for recent graduates or workers with minimal experience.
- Level 2 (L2): Workers with some specialized experience.
- Level 3 (L3): Experienced professionals with relevant work backgrounds.
- Level 4 (L4): Highly skilled or senior-level employees commanding the highest salaries.
Here’s how the weighting works: Applicants with L4 salary offers get four chances in the lottery, L3 gets three chances, L2 gets two chances, and L1 only one chance. This means someone with an L4-level job offer has a significantly higher probability of selection compared to an entry-level applicant.
Example: Imagine the lottery draws 100 winners from 1,000 applicants each year.
- An L1-level applicant’s chance is 1 in 10 (one lottery ticket).
- An L4-level applicant would effectively have 4 chances, improving their odds to approximately 4 in 10.
By weighting the lottery this way, the system rewards higher-paying jobs and more experienced talent. However, this also raises concerns about the future for recent graduates and those at the beginning of their careers, many of whom fall into the L1 or L2 categories and face tougher competition.
What This Means for International Students
If you’re an international student hoping to win the H-1B lottery after graduation, here’s what to consider:
- Higher salary job offers markedly improve your chances of selection.
- Entry-level or recent graduates (L1) face steeper odds and may want to seek internships or roles that offer competitive wages aligned with higher wage levels.
- Staying informed about shifting immigration policies is critical for effectively planning your career and job search.
If You’re an International Student Planning Your Next Steps
This clarity on the $100,000 H-1B fee and the lottery’s salary-based weighting is essential. It means you can move forward confidently with your H-1B applications and visa stamping without fearing this new fee—provided you apply through a change of status within the US. Staying informed, planning wisely, and seeking expert guidance such as from Collegepond can significantly enhance your chances of success in navigating the complex US visa and employment landscape.
