Main image of article What the 2025 H-1B Visa Proclamation Means for Your Tech Career

Another week in tech comes with another ground-shifting change, this time via a significant fee applied to H-1B visa applications. On September 21st, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation introducing a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa petitions. This policy will impact how companies approach international hiring and potentially shift dynamics in the U.S. tech job market. 

Here we offer answers to your questions about what these changes mean for your tech career. No speculation, no politics—just the information you need to navigate this change. 

Summary

The $100,000 fee took effect on September 21, 2025, after President Trump signed the proclamation just two days earlier, on September 19th. This substantial fee applies exclusively to new H-1B petitions and new applicants who are outside the U.S. as of the effective date. If you currently hold an H-1B visa, change jobs within the U.S., or extend your existing status, this fee doesn't affect you. 

The Department of Labor also received instructions to adjust prevailing wage rules for new H-1B hires. The policy runs for 12 months unless extended, with possible exemptions for individuals identified as being in the national interest. 

Despite an initial panic that caused companies to advise current H-1B visa holders to avoid travel or cut vacation short, the policy clarifies that current H-1B visa holders face no changes to their status or travel rights at this time. The new fee only applies to fresh petitions for workers outside the U.S. 

U.S.-based tech professionals, whether citizens, permanent residents, or existing visa holders, continue operating under current rules. Your employment status, job mobility, and career prospects remain unchanged by this specific policy. 

Companies can still hire, promote, and transfer existing H-1B workers without additional fees. The change affects the pipeline of new international talent, not the professionals already working in roles inside the U.S.  

A $100,000 fee significantly increases the cost of bringing new international talent to U.S. companies. Several predictable market shifts may follow: 

Fewer new H-1B applicants will likely enter the U.S. job market. The pool of international candidates for entry and mid-level tech roles will see the most impact. Also, companies face a cost barrier that favors hiring domestically or promoting existing international employees. 

Companies will look to places dominated by U.S.-based tech workers to find talent. Organizations need skilled professionals regardless of visa policies. In-person events, U.S.-based tech job boards like Dice, and the networks of current employees are all likely to become the dominant sources of tech talent while this policy is in place.  

Some companies will expand professional development and upskilling programs for current staff. As the supply of qualified tech workers condenses and organizations are limited to domestic tech talent, incentives increase for growing and enhancing the skillset of current employees. 

Some companies will accelerate plans to build distributed teams in global locations. This change finds friendly company among many other significant policy, economic, and technological shifts rolling over the tech industry right now. As such, speculation on how this change impacts the tech industry long term may not be valuable to your tech career or your mental health right now. Instead, focus on the things you can impact - such as upskilling, networking, and growing your soft skills.  

Entry-level and mid-career professionals may see increased demand for their skill sets as companies focus on local talent pools. Senior professionals could find expanded leadership opportunities as some organizations invest more heavily in developing internal teams. 

Companies might increase compensation packages, professional development offerings, and internal mobility programs to attract and retain U.S.-based talent. Training budgets often expand when external hiring becomes more complex or costly. 

Will the new fee apply to H-1B extensions, renewals, or job changes? No. The $100,000 fee only affects new H-1B petitions filed from outside the U.S. Existing H-1B holders can extend, renew, or change employers without paying this fee. 

What happens if I'm currently on F-1 OPT or another visa status? The change affects only new H-1B petitions for people outside the U.S. If you're already in the U.S. on a different visa and applying for an H-1B change of status, verify current requirements through official channels, as policies continue evolving. 

How might this change job competition in the U.S. tech market? Competition for roles traditionally filled by new international hires may decrease, while demand for U.S.-based talent could increase. The overall effect depends on how companies adjust their hiring strategies. Focus on upskilling and networking so you remain competitive with every shift of the tech market.  

Where can I find reliable, up-to-date information? Check USCIS H-1B FAQs, White House proclamations, and Department of State resources for official policy updates. Reputable legal and industry publications provide analysis, but always verify details through government sources. 

Should I change my career strategy based on this policy? Build your career on fundamentals that remain constant: strong technical skills, professional relationships, and clear communication abilities. Policy changes create short-term market shifts, but skilled professionals remain in demand. 

For over 30 years, Dice has been the place employers turn to to find qualified, specialized tech talent in the U.S.  Our platform provides access to thousands of tech roles with companies that value your expertise. Whether you're exploring new opportunities or planning your next career move, Dice gives you direct access to employers who understand what you bring to their teams. 

We also track industry trends and hiring patterns to help you make informed decisions about your career path. When market conditions change, having the right information makes the difference between reacting to events and positioning yourself strategically. 

Focus on what you control 

There is a lot going on in the tech industry and world at large right now. Prioritize investing your energy into things you can change. Your technical expertise, professional relationships, and career development remain under your direct control. 

Prioritize ongoing upskilling in emerging technologies that align with your career goals. Strengthen your personal brand through consistent professional visibility.  Develop soft skills that make you indispensable to any team: clear communication, project management, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration.  

The tech industry rewards professionals who adapt quickly to changing conditions while maintaining focus on long-term growth. Policy changes create short-term uncertainty, but skilled professionals who stay proactive and connected find opportunities in any market environment.