USC Issues Notice on H-1B Visa: Travel Advisory and Proclamation

(UNITED STATES) The University of Southern California has issued a USC notice advising faculty and staff in H-1B status to delay international travel after a new presidential proclamation by President Donald Trump imposed a steep new fee on employers filing fresh H-1B petitions.

The proclamation, signed on September 19, 2025, requires employers to pay a $100,000 fee for each new H-1B petition filed on or after September 21, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT. USC’s guidance urges anyone currently abroad to return to the United States before the policy took effect and advises those inside the country to hold off on travel until further clarity.

USC’s advisory: timing and risk

USC’s advisory centers on timing and risk. While the proclamation targets employers rather than employees, the university notes that sudden changes to the H-1B program can affect travel plans, visa stamping, and onboarding for new hires.

The university’s message is simple: minimize travel until more is known about how the fee will be implemented in practice and whether it will slow or complicate H-1B processing.

Key policy details

• Effective date and time: September 21, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT
• Fee: $100,000 per new H-1B petition
• Scope: Applies to new filings only; exemptions include existing H-1B holders, renewals, and amendments
• Duration: In effect for at least 12 months, with the possibility of extension
• Status as of October 8, 2025: The rule is active and higher education employers are reviewing budgets, hiring plans, and start dates

What the fee covers—and what it doesn’t

The $100,000 fee applies only to new filings. According to the proclamation’s terms:

• It does not apply to existing H-1B holders.
• It does not apply to extensions or amendments.
• It does not apply to petitions filed before the effective timestamp.

Impact on universities, hiring, and budgets

The USC notice reflects widespread concern across universities and research institutions that depend on global talent. For academia, H-1B hiring timelines often align with academic calendars and grant cycles.

A sudden six-figure charge per new H-1B petition can:

• Alter hiring decisions and salary packages
• Lead institutions to pause or redirect hiring
• Affect course offerings if teaching positions are not filled
• Force budget offices to recalculate costs per position and model grant impacts

Universities may respond by:

• Prioritizing internal transfers or roles that don’t require new H-1B petitions
• Phasing hiring across cycles rather than filling multiple positions in one semester
• Restructuring start dates or exploring other classifications where appropriate

Impact on applicants and current H-1B employees

For current H-1B professionals:

• The exemption for extensions and amendments provides immediate relief.
• Ongoing work, teaching, research, and patient care are less likely to be disrupted in the short term.

For new recruits and employers:

• Offers may be delayed or reconsidered while financial and operational impacts are assessed.
• New hires who require a petition filed after the effective date face greater uncertainty.

USC’s travel guidance aims to reduce the risk of interrupted work or study by advising those abroad to return before the rule took effect and urging others to pause nonessential international travel.

Practical travel and onboarding considerations

International travel by H-1B workers and scholars often involves visa stamping abroad and precise timing for reentry. If the proclamation triggers processing delays or new documentation requirements, those abroad could face longer waits.

USC’s practical guidance includes:

• Returning to the U.S. before policy effective dates when feasible (to avoid early implementation confusion)
• Pausing discretionary travel until institutional visa services provide updates
• Staying in close contact with university visa services for case-specific advice

For individuals currently outside the United States, USC’s recommendation to return before the effective date was intended as straightforward risk control.

Broader debate and operational choices

The stated purpose of the change is to prevent misuse and protect American jobs. Supporters argue the fee raises the financial stake for new filings and could deter frivolous petitions. Critics in higher education contend the cost may undercut teaching, research, and innovation pipelines—especially in STEM fields where domestic shortages are common.

Operationally, employers are expected to:

1. Review each proposed new H-1B petition closely.
2. Decide whether to delay the role or seek alternative hiring methods.
3. Assess budget and grant implications for affected projects and departments.

Consequences of delays can include lost funding, postponed projects, and reduced course sections—affecting students, local communities, and international staff.

Guidance and resources

USC directs affected employees to follow university channels for the latest updates. For general background on the H-1B program, the university points to the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services resource:

• USCIS H-1B Specialty Occupations

Note: That USCIS page explains the H-1B category but does not address the new fee, which stems from the presidential proclamation rather than routine agency guidance.

Important: As of October 8, 2025, the rule remains active. USC’s notice underscores a conservative approach—pause discretionary travel, return to campus before key policy dates when possible, and coordinate closely with institutional visa services.

For new recruits, the central question remains whether and when employers will proceed with H-1B petitions that now carry a six-figure surcharge. For current H-1B staff, the exemption for extensions and amendments offers some breathing room, but careful planning is needed while the policy is in force.