US May Exempt Doctors from $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

The United States may exempt physicians and medical residents from the newly introduced $100,000 H-1B visa application fee, a White House spokesperson indicated on Monday.

The Trump administration recently imposed the one-time charge on all new H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025. While the fee is not recurring, it has sparked strong criticism from hospitals and medical associations, who warned it could worsen the country’s physician shortage, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

White House official Taylor Rogers said the presidential proclamation that introduced the fee “provides for potential exemptions,” adding that doctors could be among those excluded.

Healthcare institutions such as the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital, which are among the largest H-1B sponsors, had raised concerns about the added financial burden. Medical groups also stressed that foreign-trained doctors play a vital role in maintaining patient care in the US healthcare system.

While the exemption has not yet been finalized, immigration experts say it would protect a critical workforce pipeline and prevent disruptions in medical staffing. The administration has yet to clarify eligibility criteria or implementation timelines.