Singapore Citizens Exempt from $100,000 H-1B1 Fee, US Embassy Confirms

(SINGAPORE) Singaporean citizens applying for the H-1B1 visa will not be charged the new US$100,000 fee that now applies to certain H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025, the United States Embassy in Singapore confirmed. The Embassy’s statement clarifies that the fee is tied to specific H-1B cases and explicitly does not cover the H-1B1 visa category, which is reserved for citizens of Singapore and Chile under separate legal authority.

The clarification matters for employers and workers planning 2025 hires. Recruiters at tech, finance, biotech, and engineering firms had raised concerns after the fee announcement, worried it might spill over to the H-1B1 program and raise costs dramatically. The Embassy’s position means Singaporean citizens using the H-1B1 track retain a lower-cost, faster route to take up offers in the United States without the added six-figure charge.

Policy clarification and scope

According to the Embassy, the US$100,000 fee is limited to “certain new H-1B visa petitions” submitted on or after September 21, 2025. It does not apply to H-1B1 cases processed at U.S. consulates abroad, nor to H-1B1 changes or extensions that follow the program’s rules.

VisaVerge.com reports that this carve-out reflects the H-1B1 visa’s distinct legal base and the bilateral commitments the United States maintains with Singapore.

What is the H-1B1 visa?

The H-1B1 visa is a temporary, employer-sponsored work visa for specialty occupations—jobs that usually require a specific bachelor’s degree or higher. It is:

• Issued in one-year increments with the possibility of extensions.
• Not subject to the H-1B lottery.
• Employer-specific (tied to the sponsoring employer).
• Considered “non-dual intent,” meaning applicants must show they plan to return to their home country when their U.S. job ends.

These features make H-1B1 distinct from the standard H-1B in several important ways.

Who qualifies under H-1B1

• Only citizens of Singapore and Chile can apply for H-1B1 visas.
• Singapore Permanent Residents who are not citizens are not eligible for H-1B1 and should consider other visa options.
• Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of H-1B1 holders may apply for H-4 dependent visas, allowing families to stay together during the principal worker’s assignment.

For Singaporean professionals, the category is attractive for roles in IT, finance, research, healthcare, and other fields requiring a degree-linked skill set. Because the H-1B1 visa is not part of the H-1B cap lottery, it offers a steadier timeline—helpful for employers with time-sensitive projects and candidates facing relocation deadlines.

Employer requirements and application steps

Employers must meet strict labor standards for H-1B1 cases. Key points:

• A certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the U.S. Department of Labor is required.
• The LCA confirms the offered wage meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for the occupation and location.
• The LCA also ensures employing the foreign worker will not harm similarly employed U.S. workers and sets basic worksite and notice rules.

To prepare for a consular H-1B1 filing, companies generally gather:

1. Certified LCA (first step).
2. Job offer letter.
3. Proof of the worker’s degree (and related credentials).
4. Supporting documentation of professional history for the visa interview.

Candidates should be ready to present their education and work history clearly during the visa interview. While typically faster than the H-1B route, H-1B1 remains employer-specific—if the worker changes employers, the new employer must obtain a certified LCA and the worker must secure a new H-1B1 approval.

Important: H-1B1 status is not a direct bridge to a green card because of the “non-dual intent” rule. Applicants must show intent to return to Singapore when their job ends.

Many people use H-1B1 for shorter-term roles or as a stepping stone while evaluating longer-term options, including moves into other visa categories.

Costs, timing, and practical considerations

The Embassy’s confirmation that the US$100,000 fee does not apply to H-1B1 helps maintain cost certainty and keeps Singapore’s U.S.-bound talent pipeline open amid tight hiring windows. HR teams that paused offers pending fee guidance can now proceed with H-1B1 onboarding without the six-figure surprise.

Employers should still budget for standard costs:

• Government processing and consular fees
• Attorney support (if used)
• Other routine hiring expenses

These costs are a fraction of the newly introduced H-1B surcharge and remain within expected ranges for international hiring programs. For smaller firms, the absence of the six-figure fee may determine whether a U.S. project proceeds.

Timing notes:

• H-1B1 is not subject to the lottery, but interview appointment availability at U.S. Embassies/Consulates can vary in peak seasons.
• Plan early, prepare complete documentation, and respond quickly to follow-up requests to keep cases on track.

Quick summary: what to keep top of mind

• The US$100,000 fee applies to certain new H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025.
• The fee does not apply to the H-1B1 visa for Singaporean citizens.
• H-1B1 is employer-specific and requires a certified LCA confirming prevailing wage compliance.
• H-1B1 is not part of the H-1B lottery and is considered “non-dual intent.”
• Singapore Permanent Residents who are not citizens cannot use H-1B1; spouses and children may seek H-4 classification.

Starting an H-1B1 case

To initiate an H-1B1 case, employers must obtain a certified LCA. The form used is the Department of Labor’s ETA-9035/9035E.

The official page for the LCA form and filing instructions is available on the U.S. Department of Labor website at Form ETA-9035/9035E Labor Condition Application. This is the required first step before a worker can apply for the visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Practical impact for families and Singapore’s talent pipeline

For Singapore-based families, the Embassy’s clarification eases anxiety. Parents organizing housing, school places, and travel now have clearer budgets and timelines because the US$100,000 fee does not affect H-1B1.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the carve-out highlights how treaty-based categories like the H-1B1 visa can provide stability when broader U.S. immigration rules shift. For Singapore, this helps preserve a long-standing channel that supports cross-border projects, regional headquarters needs, and professional exchange.

The Embassy’s statement closes a key question raised since the fee announcement: whether H-1B1 would be swept in. It is not. For now, Singapore’s professionals retain a streamlined way to accept job offers in the United States 🇺🇸 without an added six-figure charge, provided they meet the H-1B1 program’s requirements and maintain clear nonimmigrant intent throughout their stay.