We are the fastest growing EdTech brand operating across geographies, facilitating international student recruitments by connecting students, recruitment entrepreneurs and global universities through our high-tech online platform – coursefinder.ai

About KC Overseas

Join the fastest growing EdTech brand offering endless learning and growth opportunities and advance your career with us.

We're Hiring!

Study Destinations

Login To

Company

Search Universities

Upcoming Events

Become KC Certified Counselor

Book Online Counselling

USA Online Counselling 

Services for Students

Services for Institutions

Services for Partners

Services for Franchisee

Industry Recognitions

facebook.svg

ig.svg

linkedin.svg

Twiter Icon 2.svg

youtube.svg

thumbnail_usa_fdef150118.png

usa_fdef150118.png

thumbnail_uk_ff42847a88.png

uk_ff42847a88.png

thumbnail_canada_8252f2b119.png

canada_8252f2b119.png

Connect with our Canada Counselling Expert.

thumbnail_australia_a9f8aafc96.png

australia_a9f8aafc96.png

Connect with our Australia Counselling Expert.

thumbnail_New_Zealand_Flag_86da2fc5bd.png

New_Zealand_Flag_86da2fc5bd.png

Connect with our New Zealand Counselling Expert.

thumbnail_ireland_b097d8180f.png

ireland_b097d8180f.png

Connect with our Ireland Counselling Expert.

thumbnail_MicrosoftTeams-image__10_.png

MicrosoftTeams-image__10_.png

Connect with our Europe Counselling Expert.

thumbnail_Dubai_Flag_6966da4f82.png

Dubai_Flag_6966da4f82.png

Connect with our Asia Counselling Expert.

thumbnail_MicrosoftTeams-image__4_.png

MicrosoftTeams-image__4_.png

thumbnail_ELAN-logo.png

ELAN-logo.png

Connect Online with our Education Loan Expert

KcLogoBlack.svg

KcLogoBlue.svg

KcLogoWhite.svg

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td style="background-color:#DBE8FF;border:1.0pt solid windowtext;padding:8px;vertical-align:top;"><p><strong>Key Highlights</strong></p><ul><li>U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirms the newly introduced $100,000 fee for certain H-1B Visa petitions does not apply to international students on F-1 Visa status changing to H-1B within the U.S.</li><li>The fee only applies to new H-1B filings from abroad or petitions requesting consular/port-of-entry notification filed on or after September 21, 2025.&nbsp;</li><li>This brings major relief to international students, as the transition from study (F-1) to work (H-1B) remains unaffected under the new rule.</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p style="text-align:justify;">For thousands of students studying in the U.S., the worry has been eased. The $100K fee won’t apply to students on an F-1 Visa or going on F-1 Visa who would later transition to H-1B status while staying on a valid&nbsp;<a href="https://www.studies-overseas.com/blogs/student-visa-usa" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>student visa in USA</strong></a>.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Scope of the $100,000 H-1B Fee</strong></h2><p style="text-align:justify;">The new fee targets a narrower set of applicants:</p><ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Foreign nationals outside the U.S. at the time of petitioning for H-1B, without a valid H-1B Visa already.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Employers requesting consular processing or port-of-entry notification for an H-1B beneficiary, even if the person is inside the U.S., under specified conditions.&nbsp;</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Exemptions Under the Updated H-1B Fee Rule</strong></h2><p style="text-align:justify;">According to USCIS and associated guidance, the fee does not apply to:</p><ul><li style="text-align:justify;">H-1B renewals, extensions of stay, or amendments for petitioners already in H-1B status.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Change-of-status petitions filed within the U.S., including F-1 to H-1B transitions.&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Petitions already filed prior to 12:01 a.m. ET on September 21, 2025.&nbsp;</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Implications for International Students in the USA</strong></h2><p style="text-align:justify;">For many International students studying in the USA, the path often starts by completing a degree, then opting for OPT/S­TEM-OPT then the employer’s H-1B sponsorship. Earlier, the new fee created anxiety that the transition might suddenly become prohibitively expensive. This has been clarified with the specifications given below.</p><ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Students doing change of status from F-1 to H-1B while in the U.S. will not face additional costs under the new rule.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">However, students and employers should still be careful that if status is violated, or if the petition is filed for consular processing instead of a change of status, the exemption may apply.<br>&nbsp;</li></ul><h2><strong>Recommended Actions for Students</strong></h2><p style="text-align:justify;">As the policy clarification removes major doubts, students still need to follow the correct visa pathway to make sure the exemption continues to work in their favor.</p><ol><li style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Confirm Filing Type</strong>: Ensure the H-1B petition is filed inside the U.S. as a change of status, not requiring consular stamping.</li><li style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Stay Valid on F-1/OPT Status</strong>: Avoid any status violations that could trigger the fee or complicate the petition.</li><li style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Employer Clarity</strong>: Students should discuss with their employer whether they are filing a new entry petition (which may incur the fee) or a standard change-of-status.</li><li style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Monitor Visa-Processing Plans</strong>: If the student is planning to travel outside the U.S. before H-1B approval or intends to use consular processing, evaluate the fee risk.</li><li style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Understand your timeline</strong>: Since this rule affects petitions filed after September 21, 2025, any past filings or ongoing change-of-status cases are generally unaffected.</li></ol><p style="text-align:justify;"><br>If you are on an F-1 visa and your next step is an H-1B change of status within the U.S., this update is very good news: the $100,000 fee doesn’t apply, removing a significant barrier for those who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.studies-overseas.com/country/study-in-usa" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>study in USA&nbsp;</strong></a>and aim to build their careers here.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">At KC Overseas Education, we help students stay informed and support them with the entire admission-to-visa process in a streamlined manner. The journey from campus to career shouldn’t be derailed by surprise fees — clarity now keeps the path to success smooth and stress-free.</p>

For thousands of students studying in the U.S., the worry has been eased. The $100K fee won’t apply to students on an F-1 Visa or going on F-1 Visa who would later transition to H-1B status while staying on a valid student visa in USA.

$100K H-1B Fee Not for F-1 Students: Updated USCIS Guidelines Confirm

$100K H-1B Fee Not for F-1 Students: Updated USCIS Guidelines Confirm

Want to Study Abroad?

Latest News