🚨New H-1B Rules: $100K Bond + Higher Fees — Are You Affected?
- CSI Professionals Inc.
- Sep 26
- 4 min read
Navigating the New H-1B Program Updates with Confidence
On September 19, 2025, the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation announcing a new $100,000 bond requirement for H-1B registrations plus increased immigration filing fees . One day after, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided clarifications.
While headlines have raised understandable concern, the key takeaway is this: current H-1B workers and pending/approved petitions are not affected by the new ruling. The new requirements apply only to future filings beginning September 21, 2025– until the March 2026 lottery.
Here’s what you need to know, what remains uncertain, and how to prepare.
What has changed
$100,000 Bond Requirement: Employers filing new H-1B petitions after 12:01 a.m. EDT, September 21, 2025 must provide a one-time $100,000 payment, unless the petition qualifies for a National Interest Exception (NIE).
Increased Filing Fees: Immigration filing fees for H-1B registrations and petitions are set to rise. While exact amounts and collections procedures have not yet been finalized, employers should anticipate higher costs.
Future Lottery Impact: The requirement will apply to the FY2027 cap lottery filings in March 2026 and all other new H-1B petitions submitted after the effective date.
Timeframe: The Proclamation is effective for 12 months from Sept, 21, 2025 and maybe extended.
Who is NOT affected
Current H-1B holders: You can continue working, traveling, and re-entering the U.S. as usual.
Pending or approved petitions filed before September 21, 2025: These remain valid and unaffected.
Extensions and renewals: The $100,000 payment does not apply.
Travel: Current H-1B holders may continue planned international travel and re entry without restrictions.
In short: no action is required if you already hold H-1B status or have a petition filed/approved before Sept. 21, 2025.
What Remains Unclear
Federal guidance has answered the most urgent questions, but several details are still pending:
Change-of-status filings inside the U.S.: It’s unclear if COS petitions filed after Dept 21, 2025 will trigger the payment.
Amendments, transfer, and portability cases: No confirmation yet on whether these will be treated as “new” petitions.
Cap-exempt employers: Universities, nonprofits, and research institutions may be treated differently, but guidance is pending.
Payment mechanics: How and when the $100,000 must be paid-and what happens if petition is withdrawn or denied–remains unspecified.
NIE criteria: Standards for qualifying under a National Interest Exception (documentation, timelines, decision makers) have not been published.
What this Means for Workers
For workers and students planning to pursue the H-1B path:
Start early: Planning ahead for the March 2026 lottery is critical
Stay Informed: Policy and litigation outcomes may shift timelines or requirements
Partner Strategically:Choose employers who prioritize compliance and ensure that you or your employer are ready to meet the financial responsibilities.
Beyond H-1B: A Broader Pathway to Immigration Success
While much attention is currently focused on the recent changes to the H-1B program — including new fees and employer bond requirements — it's important to recognize that CSI’s approach to employment-based immigration is not limited to H-1B sponsorship alone.
At CSI Professionals, we do not solely rely on the H-1B program to help our clients achieve their career and immigration goals. In fact, the majority of our successful cases come through our Professional Training and Development Program, which has maintained one of the highest approval rates among our service offerings.
Through this route, we guide candidates from Professional Training to Adjustment of Status, ultimately leading to Green Card sponsorship.
With the uncertainty surrounding the H-1B processing, the Professional Training route offers a more stable, predictable, and personalized pathway for both non-immigrant workers and sponsoring employers. Our clients benefit from ongoing mentorship, structured career growth, and legal strategies aimed at long-term immigration goals — not just temporary work visas.
As we continue to monitor updates to the H-1B process, we remain committed to providing alternative, high-approval pathways that lead to real career advancement and permanent residency opportunities.
CSI Professionals: Guiding You Through Change
Policy changes can be unsettling but you don’t have to derail your plans. At CSI Professionals, we are actively monitoring government updates, agency FAQs, and potential legal challenges.
Our commitment is to:
Keep non-immigrant workers and employers accurately informed.
Provide proactive strategies for navigating the new H-1B environment.
Ensure compliance and preparedness to give you peace of mind.
Key takeaway: Current H-1B holders and petitions are safe. The new rules apply only to future petitions starting in 2026. The best response is not panic, but preparation—through early planning, strong employer relationships, and compliance.
CSI Professionals will continue to update our community as more guidance emerges.
Sources
White House — Presidential Proclamation: “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” (Sept. 19, 2025).https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/restriction-on-entry-of-certain-nonimmigrant-workers
USCIS — H-1B Proclamation FAQ and Agency Guidance (Sept. 20–21, 2025). Clarifies scope, prospective application, and lottery inclusion. https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/h-1b-faq
CBP Guidance — Alignment on Proclamation Scope (linked via USCIS FAQ). https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom
White House Press Secretary Statement (Sept. 20, 2025). Clarifies $100,000 is a one-time petition-based fee, not annual; renewals unaffected. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room
U.S. Department of Labor — “Project Firewall” Enforcement Announcement (Sept. 19, 2025). https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20250919
Holland & Knight — Client Alert Summaries (Sept. 2025). Summarize the Proclamation’s effective date, scope, and enforcement implications. https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/09