H-1B visa: Will $100,000 fee apply on re-entry if you’ve been laid off and are outside US?
H-1B visa: Since its launch, the hefty $100,000 fee for an H-1B visa has triggered confusion for many. But a Reddit user had a typical query: “My H1-B was approved in 2024. I came to the US in January 2025, but was unfortunately laid off in August 2025. I travelled back to India and now have another job offer, starting from January 2026. Will the $100,000 fees apply in this case?”
We asked an immigration attorney, ChatGPT and Gemini for suggestions. Before delving into them, let’s first understand where the H-1B visa fee applies (exemptions):
