Pause on New H-1B Petitions Extended Through October 15th
Posted 10/09/2025
In the absence of clear guidance from the relevant agencies, UW is extending its pause on filing new H-1B petitions through October 15 as we await additional information related to the new $100,000 fee announced on September 19. UW is monitoring professional networks and federal agency communications to determine whether the new fee applies to higher education institutions, changes of status, or specific occupations/positions. We expect clarification soon via:
- Additional USCIS guidance or establishment of payment methods
- Judicial decisions/actions in pending litigation around the new fee
- Reports that USCIS is requiring (or not requiring) the fee for new petitions already filed by other employers
ISO is working with UW leadership to identify what other options may be available if we do not have additional information by October 15. Please see below and our Federal Shutdown blog post for more information on these issues.
Pause on Filing New H-1B Petitions
Posted 09/23/2025
According to current USCIS guidance, all new H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025 are subject to the new $100,000 H-1B fee.
Based on this guidance and in consultation with UW leadership, filing of new H-1B petitions for employment at the UW is being paused until at least October 8th as the University seeks additional clarity on this new fee in the context of higher education.
This pause does not affect petitions for extensions, amendments, or transfers of existing H-1B status; nor does it affect pre-filing processing of new H-1Bs with ISO or the U.S. Department of Labor. See our How to Sponsor page for more information; processing of new H-1Bs can continue up to Step 10: Preparation for Filing with USCIS. The ISO team will reach out to units on all affected, in-flight H-1B visa requests within the next week.
We will be in touch as more information becomes available. Please contact us with any questions at acadvisa@uw.edu.
Updated Guidance on New H-1B Visa Fee
Posted 09/21/2025
On September 20th, USCIS and Customs and Border Protection issued guidance clarifying that the executive order issued on September 19th only affects H-1B petitions that have not been filed yet, and the beneficiaries thereof.
This means that any UW employee who has already had an H-1B petition for them filed and/or approved should not be subject to the new fee requirement. H-1B employees currently outside the U.S. should be able to reenter subject to the usual requirements and guidance listed on our Travel on H-1B Visa page.
This is a significant change from what was originally announced yesterday evening. We in ISO are sorry for any inconvenience caused, and extend our support to any employees whose travel plans were disrupted by the announcement yesterday. We will continue to reach out with updated guidance as we can.
As always, please send your questions to us at acadvisa@uw.edu.
New H-1B Visa Fee Announced
Posted 09/20/2025
On September 19, 2025, an Executive Order was issued that bans entry in H-1B status by anyone whose employer has not paid a $100,000 fee on their behalf. The executive order goes into effect at 12:01AM EST on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
This requirement only applies to persons entering the U.S. in H-1B status; scholars already in the U.S. in H-1B status should not be affected unless they engage in international travel. Changes of status to or extensions of H-1B status inside the U.S. should also be unaffected.
ISO recommends against international travel by H-1B holders at this time. While ISO has already sent a message to our International Scholars mailing list, there may be H-1B scholars in your unit who have not joined that list; please share this message as broadly as you can.
We cannot predict whether or how the fee will change at this time. ISO will continue to provide updates as this situation evolves. Please contact us with any questions.