H-1B Fee Changes and the Path for Exemptions

In October 2025, I wrote to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem about the impact of Presidential Proclamation 10973, which increased H-1B visa application fees to $100,000 for new applicants. In my letter, I raised concerns about how this change affects critical service areas in the CNMI that rely on skilled nonimmigrant workers. This week, we received a response outlining the Department of Homeland Security’s position and the limited process available for exemptions. DHS confirmed that exemptions to the $100,000 payment requirement are considered extremely rare, but that a formal pathway does exist for employers to request one. Employers seeking an exemption must submit a request along with supporting documentation to H1BExceptions@hq.dhs.gov. DHS also provided additional guidance on how Proclamation 10973 is being implemented. We will continue tracking how these changes affect employers and workers in the Marianas and sharing updates as more information becomes available.