EasyWorldSeptember 21, 2025

New Rules for H-1B Visas: What the $100,000 Fee Means

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Key Vocabulary

proclamation (/ˌprɒkləˈmeɪʃən/)

Meaning: An official public statement from the government.

Example: The president signed a proclamation.

petition (/pəˈtɪʃən/)

Meaning: A formal request, here for a visa or permission.

Example: The company filed a petition for a worker.

H-1B (/ˌeɪtʃ wʌn biː/)

Meaning: A U.S. work visa for skilled foreign workers in specialty jobs.

Example: She works in the U.S. on an H-1B visa.

🎧 Listening

New Rules for H-1B Visas: What the $100,000 Fee Means

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation in September 2025. It adds a $100,000 fee to new H-1B visa petitions. The rule starts at 12:01 a.m. Eastern on September 21, 2025.

The fee applies to new petitions and does not apply to people who already have H-1B status in the United States. The proclamation allows exemptions for some workers if the government says it is in the national interest. Agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security will write guidance and rules for how to follow the new law.

88 words

❓ Quiz

Q1. Who signed the proclamation?

Q2. How much is the fee?

Q3. When does the rule start?

📖 Reading Practice

Read the article from the Listening section aloud. Your AI teacher will give you pronunciation feedback.

💬 Discussion

Do you know anyone who has worked abroad? How was their travel affected?

Have you ever had to change travel plans for work? What happened?

What do you think about rules that make travel harder for some workers?