US President Donald Trump has extended the $100,000 payment requirement for certain H-1B workers for another year, keeping the controversial restriction in place until September 21, 2027. The extension was announced through a presidential proclamation issued on September 18, 2026.
The policy was originally introduced in September 2025 and was scheduled to expire this month. Under the renewed proclamation, certain H-1B petitions involving workers who are outside the United States will generally require an additional $100,000 payment, subject to specified exceptions.
Why Did Trump Extend the H-1B Fee?
The White House says the policy has significantly changed H-1B registration patterns. According to the administration, registrations submitted by the largest IT staffing and outsourcing companies fell by 92%, from 24,946 to 2,055, after the restrictions took effect.
The administration also pointed to an increase in registrations involving applicants with higher levels of education and higher-paying job offers. Registrations for beneficiaries with at least a US master’s degree reportedly increased from 45.1% for FY2026 to 66.1% for FY2027.
These figures are claims and analysis from the Trump administration, rather than an independent assessment of the policy’s overall economic impact.
What Does the $100,000 H-1B Requirement Mean?
The H-1B programme allows US employers to hire foreign professionals for specialised occupations, including technology, engineering and research.
The renewed restriction primarily affects certain new H-1B workers who are outside the US and require entry into the country. Existing H-1B holders and certain foreign nationals already in the United States are not covered in the same way, and the proclamation provides for discretionary exemptions when the Department of Homeland Security determines that hiring is in the national interest.
Why Indian Professionals Are Watching Closely
The development is particularly significant for India because Indian-born beneficiaries represent the largest share of approved H-1B petitions.
USCIS data for fiscal year 2024 shows that beneficiaries born in India accounted for approximately 71% of approved H-1B petitions, compared with about 11.7% for China.
The extended fee could therefore have implications for Indian technology professionals seeking new US-based opportunities, as well as companies that sponsor H-1B workers.
H-1B Policy Faces Legal Challenges
The extension comes while the $100,000 requirement remains subject to ongoing legal challenges. A federal judge in Massachusetts previously ruled against the administration’s authority to impose the fee, and the decision is being challenged on appeal.
Trump has also ordered US agencies to strengthen scrutiny of H-1B applications, including considering an employer’s recent or planned layoffs of similarly situated US workers.
For Indian professionals and US employers, the H-1B programme will therefore remain an important area to watch as the legal proceedings and immigration-policy changes continue through 2027.
