H-1B 2025: White House $100K Fee & DHS Weighted Selection Explained

Published: September 20, 2025 | By ISIYOSE TV

On September 19, 2025, the White House signed a proclamation creating a $100,000 fee per H-1B application, while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advanced a rule to replace the random lottery with a weighted selection process. Together, these shifts represent the most dramatic change in U.S. high-skilled immigration policy in decades.

What exactly did the White House do?

The signed proclamation mandates a $100,000 annual fee for each H-1B petition. The administration frames this as an anti-abuse measure, designed to discourage the hiring of lower-paid foreign workers over U.S. workers. [AP News]

Tech firms may absorb the fee, but startups face pressure. (Photo: Unsplash)

Why it matters

• Cost shock: Small and mid-sized businesses could be priced out of sponsoring skilled foreign workers.
• Advantage for Big Tech: Larger firms with deeper budgets may strengthen their hiring monopoly.
• Legal uncertainty: Analysts expect legal challenges over whether the executive branch has authority to impose such a fee.

The DHS “weighted selection” rule

Separately, DHS and USCIS submitted a proposed rule to replace the H-1B lottery with a weighted selection process. Employers offering higher wages or hiring workers with advanced degrees would get priority. [USCIS]

USCIS will oversee the proposed weighted selection process.

Implications

• Prioritization of high wages: Firms that pay above-market salaries may dominate approvals.
• Reduced opportunities for graduates: Entry-level workers may struggle to qualify under weighted rules.
• More predictability for high-value roles: Employers offering advanced roles could have less risk of losing in a lottery.

Who wins and who loses?

Winners: Major tech corporations, financial institutions, and firms able to offer premium salaries.

Losers: Startups, small businesses, and early-career foreign graduates seeking their first U.S. job.

Neutral: Universities and research institutes (largely cap-exempt) may not feel the immediate impact.

Need official guidance?

For official updates, check the USCIS H-1B Cap Season page.

Timeline and next steps

1. The proclamation sets the $100,000 fee — effective date pending publication in the Federal Register.
2. The DHS rule has cleared OMB review and will open for public comment before becoming final.
3. Legal challenges are likely to delay or reshape implementation.

Court battles could shape how these changes are applied. (Photo: Unsplash)

Final thoughts

This dual move — a six-figure fee plus a merit-based selection process — signals a fundamental shift in the U.S. H-1B visa program. While Big Tech may weather the storm, smaller companies and ambitious graduates face steep challenges. For now, employers and workers alike should prepare alternatives, follow USCIS guidance closely, and anticipate legal delays.

Written by ISIYOSE TV | Source references: AP News, Reuters, Politico, USCIS