Presidential Proclamation Regarding H-1 Fees and Travel

in Immigration Actions Trump 2.0
September 20th, 2025

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The President of the United States issued a Proclamation Restriction On Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers restricting the entry of H-1 nonimmigrants effective Sunday, September 21, 2025, unless they demonstrate proof of a new $100,000 fee payment.

White House FAQs and clarifying guidance from USCIS indicate that the travel restrictions and the new fee announced in the Proclamation only apply to new H-1 petitions filed to USCIS after September 21, 2025 and should not impact current H-1 employees. A Department of State post about the proclamation implies that USDOS will continue to issue H-1 visas to employees with an USCIS approved H-1 petition submitted prior to September 21, 2025.

Given the confusion surrounding this proclamation and general uncertainty in this political climate, we are encouraging BU employees to weigh the increased risks to travel, to refer to our Current Travel Advisory and to confer with your ISSO scholar advisor when considering international travel plans.

We are still waiting for clarity of how the proclamation will be implemented as it is unclear if cap-exempt educational institutions and non-profit organizations will be exempt from this new fee and how this proclamation could impact future H-1 applications.

The Proclamation also seeks to:

  • impose a $100,000 fee for new H-1 applications on companies seeking to use the H-1B program
  • allows for exemptions if the H-1B specialty occupation is in the national interest and does not pose a threat to the security or welfare of the US which has yet to be defined.
  • seeks to revise the prevailing wage levels

Although there are potential exceptions to the ban and a new fee, no details are provided, and it is not clear how or when these provisions might be implemented. We will continue gather more information as we expect this ban will be challenged in court.

BU graduates in H-1 status working at other employers should confer with their employer for more details.