US$100,000 H-1B Fee Not Applied to H-1B1 for Singaporeans

(SINGAPORE) The U.S. Embassy in Singapore has confirmed that the newly announced US$100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions does not apply to the H-1B1 visa, the trade-based category reserved for citizens of Singapore and Chile. In a brief statement addressing local concerns, the Embassy said: “There is no change to the H-1B1 process at this time.”

This clarification matters for every Singaporean professional considering U.S. work options under the H-1B1 visa, as many feared the steep $100,000 fee might extend across related categories after broad headlines about the H-1B hike.

What the Embassy clarified

The Embassy’s message draws a clear line: the new one-time charge attaches only to standard H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025. It does not affect H-1B1 applications for Singaporeans or Chileans, which continue under existing rules.

Analysis by VisaVerge.com explains why confusion spread: the two category names are similar and both serve “specialty occupation” roles, yet the legal bases and mechanics differ in important ways.

Policy details — what stays the same

The Embassy’s guidance keeps the H-1B1 track unchanged. Key takeaways:

• Singaporeans can continue applying for the H-1B1 visa without facing the $100,000 fee that applies to new, non-H-1B1 H-1B petitions.
• The H-1B1 exists under the Singapore–U.S. Free Trade Agreement (and a parallel agreement with Chile), with a separate numerical cap and tailored process.

What the clarification does not change:
– The $100,000 fee remains in force for new H-1B petitions (non-H-1B1) filed on or after September 21, 2025.
– Existing H-1B visa holders, or those renewing under older petitions, are not affected by the new charge.
– The fee is a one-time charge tied to new petitions, not an annual payment.

This distinction helps employers and workers plan. For qualifying Singaporean candidates, the cost outlook remains consistent with recent years, sparing early-career professionals and reducing the risk companies might pause offers amid budget uncertainty.

Key differences: H-1B vs H-1B1 (why they matter)

The two categories share the “specialty occupation” label but differ materially in practice:

• Numerical allocations:
  • H-1B1: Separate annual allocations — 5,400 for Singapore and 1,400 for Chile. Unused numbers roll into the broader H-1B pool.
  • H-1B: Broad annual cap with frequent lotteries.
• Validity and renewals:
  • H-1B1: Usually granted in one-year increments, renewable repeatedly in one-year steps.
  • H-1B: Typically approved for up to three years, extendable toward a six-year total.
• Intent rules:
  • H-1B: Allows dual intent (can pursue permanent residence).
  • H-1B1: Requires clearer nonimmigrant intent; applicants should be prepared to show ties outside the U.S.
• Filing pathway:
  • H-1B: Employers must file Form I-129 with USCIS before visa stamping.
  • H-1B1: Consular processing is common; Form I-129 generally required only for change of status in the U.S. or certain in-country extensions.
• Premium processing:
  • Common for H-1B, not available for H-1B1.
• Fees:
  • The $100,000 fee applies only to new H-1B petitions filed from September 21, 2025.
  • H-1B1 visa applicants remain subject to standard consular costs, including the US$190 nonimmigrant visa fee paid with the Form DS-160 confirmation.

Practical steps and compliance reminders

For employers and applicants, these differences affect timelines, budgets, and strategy. Recommended actions:

1. Ensure category accuracy
   • Employers sponsoring a Singaporean under H-1B1 should mark cases accordingly to avoid mistaken application of the $100,000 fee.

1. Consular processing (common for H-1B1)
   • Applicants complete the online Form DS-160 and bring the confirmation and supporting documents to the visa interview.
   • See Department of State guidance: Form DS-160 (Department of State): Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
2. Employer petitions (where required)
   • For cases requiring an employer petition, consult USCIS guidance and Form I-129 instructions:
     • Form I-129 (USCIS): Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
3. Use primary sources for updates
   • USCIS H-1B overview: USCIS H-1B Specialty Occupations

Important: Label cases clearly and gather supporting evidence for the correct visa category to avoid misfiling or incorrect fee assessments.

Market and employer impact

• Singapore-based employers in technology, finance, life sciences, and consulting report the Embassy’s clarification helps them continue recruiting for U.S. roles without reworking budgets.
• A regional HR manager noted the $100,000 fee, if it had applied to H-1B1, could have forced a scale-back of graduate hiring from Singapore.
• For non-Singaporean and non-Chilean professionals, new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025 must budget for the $100,000 fee, which could tighten selection, delay starts, or push employers toward alternative categories.

Watchpoints and next steps

• Monitor policy updates: The Embassy’s statement does not address potential litigation, future adjustments, or how the fee fits broader fee-setting laws. Observers expect possible future questions or challenges.
• If policy changes arise, employers and workers must revisit strategies quickly.
• To avoid missteps:
  • Singaporean citizens seeking H-1B1 should continue usual procedures and watch for official updates.
  • Employers should explicitly label eligible cases as H-1B1 to prevent incorrect internal or vendor billing.
  • Non-Singapore/Chile H-1B cases filed after September 21, 2025 should budget for the $100,000 fee and consider timing and role-selection impacts.

The Embassy’s concise message — “There is no change to the H-1B1 process at this time” — cuts through weeks of rumor. For Singaporean professionals, the H-1B1 remains a practical route to U.S. specialty roles without the new, unexpected cost. For multinational employers, it preserves a reliable channel to move Singapore-based talent to the United States when business needs require it.

In the coming months, attention will focus on how the higher cost affects the standard H-1B program and whether demand shifts toward trade-based routes where appropriate. Remember: the H-1B1 is limited to Singaporean and Chilean citizens and carries distinct rules on intent and renewals. The best practice is a careful category check at the start of hiring, followed by precise filings and clear documentation.

For authoritative instructions, rely on USCIS for petition steps and the Department of State for visa application and interview guidance. Watch embassy notices and official pages to stay current; the H-1B1 track for Singaporeans remains an example of how trade agreements can shield specific categories from broader fee changes.