BARBARA ORTUTAY, SEUNG MIN KIM and AAMER MADHANI.

President Donald Trump speaks as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick listens in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

White House says $100K H-1B visa fee won’t apply to existing holders as Trump move stirs anxiety

President Donald Trump’s latest plan to overhaul the American immigration system has left some immigrant workers confused. That left the White House on Saturday scrambling to clarify that its new $100,000 fee on visas for skilled tech workers that soon will go into effect only applies to new applicants and not to current visa holders. The president on Friday signed a proclamation that will require the fee for what are known as H-1B visas — meant for high-skilled jobs that tech companies find hard to fill.

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