You could be denied H-1B despite $100,000 fee payment; USCIS explains what counts as proof

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Monday clarified that H-1B visa petitions filed under the new $100,000 payment requirement will be denied if not accompanied by a valid proof of payment from the official federal portal, pay.gov.

A new proclamation, signed by US President Donald Trump on September 19, 2025, mandates a $100,000 payment for all new H-1B petitions filed on or after 12:01 a.m. (EDT) on September 21, 2025.

In its latest guidance dated October 20, USCIS said that petitioners “must submit a copy of the proof of the payment from pay.gov or evidence of an exception from the Secretary of Homeland Security at the time of filing the H-1B petition.”

It stressed that petitions missing either will be denied outright.

The agency specified that acceptable proof must be an official confirmation or receipt issued by pay.gov.

“In accordance with section 1(c) of the Proclamation, for H-1B petitions subject to the Proclamation, petitioners must submit a copy of the proof of the payment from pay.gov or evidence of an exception from the fee from the Secretary of Homeland Security at the time of filing the H-1B petition,” USCIS said.

“Petitions subject to the $100,000 payment that are filed without evidence of payment or the grant of an exception will be denied,” it added.

The $100,000 payment, described as a “condition of eligibility,” applies only to new petitions, including the fiscal year 2026 H-1B lottery, and not to renewals or previously issued visas.

The proclamation does not affect holders of existing H-1B visas, nor does it alter the current fee structure for extensions.

The measure, which the White House called “an important, initial step to reform the H-1B program,” is part of Trump’s administration’s effort to curb perceived abuses and ensure that the visa route is reserved for “the best of the best” foreign workers.