On September 19, 2025, a presidential proclamation was issued titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.” The proclamation became effective Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time and is scheduled to remain in place for one year, unless extended.
IMMEDIATE GUIDANCE
The new restriction only applies to new H-1B petitions, not renewals, and not current H-1B visa holders.
Current H-1B Visa Holders
- Can leave and re-enter the country as they normally would.
- Will not be charged $100,000 to re-enter.
As of September 22 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, it is unknown whether petitions separate from the lottery (such as for colleges, universities, nonprofit academic medical centers, and research organizations) will have to pay the $100,000 fee. We will continue to make updates as new information becomes available.
RESOURCES
- H-1B FAQ Sheet from The White House.
- Clarification in a letter from the Department of Homeland Security about who is impacted.
If you have questions about this proclamation or experience issues traveling to the U.S., reach out to ischolar@ucsc.edu for guidance.