House Bill Introduced to Exempt Healthcare Workers From $100,000 H‑1B Fee

Key Point  

• A bipartisan House bill would exempt healthcare workers from the $100,000 H‑1B fee created by the September 2025 presidential proclamation, removing the added cost barrier for hospitals and clinics that rely on foreign medical talent. 

Bill Seeks to Waive $100K H‑1B Fee for Healthcare Workers 

A new bipartisan bill, the H‑1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and would exempt foreign healthcare professionals from the $100,000 H‑1B fee established under the September 19, 2025, Presidential Proclamation, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.

Key Provisions 

The bill would make two major changes for H‑1B healthcare workers: 

• Exemption from the $100,000 fee: The proclamation currently restricts the entry of H‑1B workers unless their petition is accompanied by a $100,000 payment. The bill would remove this requirement for individuals employed in—or with an offer of employment in—the health care workforce, as defined in federal statute. 
• Prohibition on additional fees: The bill would also bar the government from imposing any fee on these workers beyond the standard H‑1B filing fees outlined in the Immigration and Nationality Act. 

Who Would Qualify

The proposed exemption would apply to H‑1B workers employed in, or who have accepted an offer of employment in, the health care workforce, a category defined in Section 5101 of the Affordable Care Act.  

This includes a broad range of clinical and allied health occupations. 

Impact on Employers if Enacted

If enacted, the bill would significantly reduce costs for hospitals, clinics and other healthcare employers that rely on H‑1B professionals. The $100,000 fee has been widely viewed as a barrier to recruiting international medical talent, particularly in areas of shortage. 

Background on the H-1B $100,000 Fee

In addition to this new legislative proposal, several ongoing lawsuits are already challenging the $100,000 H‑1B fee, including cases brought by state attorneys general, healthcare and academic groups, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. For a full overview of the litigation landscape, visit our FAQ: Understanding the H-1B Fee. 

Next Steps 

The bill now goes to committee for consideration. Envoy Global will continue monitoring its progress and provide updates as they become available. 

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