USCIS Memorandum, Proclamation, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, H-1B

U.S. Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office of the Director Camp Springs, MD 20588-0009 September 20, 2025 Memorandum TO: FROM: Associate Directors, Deputy Associate Directors, Program Office Chiefs Joseph B. Edlow Director, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services JOSEPH B EDLOW Digitally signed by JOSEPH B EDLOW Date: 2025.09.20 17:26:38 -04'00' SUBJECT: Proclamation, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, H-1B On September 19, 2025, the President issued a Proclamation, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, to address systemic abuse of H-1B nonimmigrant visas. Pursuant to sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a), the entry into the United States of aliens as nonimmigrants to perform services in a specialty occupation under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b), is restricted, except for those aliens whose petitions are accompanied or supplemented by a payment of $100,000. This guidance applies to H-1B employment-based petitions filed after 12:01 AM ET on September 21, 2025. This proclamation only applies prospectively to petitions that have not yet been filed.

The proclamation does not apply to aliens who: are the beneficiaries of petitions that were filed prior to the effective date of the proclamation, are the beneficiaries of currently approved petitions, or are in possession of validly issued H-1B non-immigrant visas. All officers of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services shall ensure that their decisions are consistent with this guidance. The proclamation does not impact the ability of any current visa holder to travel to or from the United States. cc: David V. Roy, Chief Counsel (A) FOUO, For Official Use Only