WASHINGTON, Sept 21, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The White House on Saturday issued a major clarification to its new H-1B visa policy announced a day earlier, saying a $100,000 fee will be a "one-time" payment imposed on new applicants.

"This is a one-time fee that applies only to the petition. It ONLY applies to new visas, not renewals or current visa holders," a White House official said on condition of anonymity.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Friday that the fee would be annual, while the text of the executive order left many current visa-holders confused about whether it applied to them.