You've probably heard the rumors floating around Raffles Place or late-night Discord servers about the massive price hike for U.S. work visas. They aren't just rumors. Since late 2025, the U.S. immigration landscape has basically been hit by a financial earthquake. A new $100,000 fee was slapped onto many H-1B petitions. It's meant to be a sort of "labor tariff." For most companies, that’s a dealbreaker. But if you’re a Singaporean citizen, there is a very specific, very lucrative loophole that exists because of a trade deal signed decades ago.
The h-1b1 visa singapore exemption fee is the reason you aren't seeing Singaporean professionals panicking like everyone else. While the rest of the world is staring down six-figure filing costs, Singaporeans (and Chileans) are walking through a side door that remains remarkably affordable.
What’s the deal with the $100,000 fee?
Honestly, the "Presidential Proclamation" from September 2025 caught everyone off guard. It mandated that employers bringing in new H-1B workers from abroad have to pay a one-time $100,000 fee. It’s wild. The goal was to "protect American labor," but it mostly just made hiring international talent impossible for anyone who isn't a Fortune 500 giant.
But here is the kicker. The H-1B1 is not the H-1B.
It sounds like a tiny distinction, but that extra "1" at the end is worth $100,000. Because the H-1B1 was created under the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA), it's governed by treaty law, not just standard immigration policy. The U.S. Embassy in Singapore has been very clear: the $100,000 fee does not apply to the H-1B1.
Breaking down the h-1b1 visa singapore exemption fee
When we talk about exemptions, we aren't just talking about the new "mega-fee." The H-1B1 has actually always been the "budget-friendly" version of the H-1B. There are several costs that H-1B applicants have to eat that Singaporeans simply don't.
The Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee
Most H-1B employers have to cough up a $500 "Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee." It's standard. But for the H-1B1, this is specifically waived. It’s a small win, but it adds up when you consider the other savings.
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No Lottery, No Registration Fee
The standard H-1B has a lottery. To even enter that lottery, you have to pay a registration fee (which jumped to $215 recently). Because the H-1B1 has a dedicated quota of 5,400 slots for Singaporeans—which, by the way, almost never fills up—there is no lottery. No lottery means no registration fee. You just apply when you're ready.
Consular Processing vs. USCIS Filing
This is where the math gets really interesting. If you apply for your H-1B1 directly at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore (Consular Processing), your employer doesn't even have to file Form I-129 with USCIS in the States.
By skipping the I-129, you bypass:
- The $780 standard filing fee (or $460 for small non-profits).
- The ACWIA "training" fee which can be up to $1,500.
- The $600 Asylum Program fee.
Instead, you basically just pay the $205 MRV (Machine Readable Visa) fee for the interview. That is a massive difference. We are talking about a total cost of a few hundred bucks versus potentially $105,000+ for a standard H-1B hire in 2026.
Why the "Specialty Occupation" rule still bites
Don't get it twisted; just because it's cheaper doesn't mean it's "easy." You still have to prove you’re a professional.
A "specialty occupation" usually means you need a Bachelor’s degree at minimum. If you’re a software engineer, architect, or doctor, you’re usually fine. But the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has been getting way stricter lately. They aren't just looking at your degree; they’re looking at whether the job actually requires that degree.
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If you have a degree in Marketing but you’re applying for a role as a Data Scientist, you’re going to have a bad time. The link between your education and your job duties has to be crystal clear.
The Non-Immigrant Intent Trap
This is the biggest "gotcha" for Singaporeans. The standard H-1B is "dual intent." This means you can work in the U.S. while actively trying to get a Green Card.
The H-1B1? No. It is strictly non-immigrant.
During your interview at the embassy on Napier Road, the officer is going to look for "ties to Singapore." They want to see that you have a reason to come back. If you tell them, "Yeah, I'm planning to move to California forever and never look back," your visa will be denied instantly. You have to maintain the "intent" to return home, even if the visa is technically renewable indefinitely in one-year increments.
Real-world math: H-1B vs H-1B1 in 2026
Let's look at a quick comparison of what a U.S. company pays to hire you.
Standard H-1B (Overseas Hire):
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- $100,000 (Presidential Fee)
- $780 (Base Filing)
- $1,500 (ACWIA Fee)
- $500 (Fraud Fee)
- $600 (Asylum Fee)
- Total: ~$103,380
H-1B1 Singapore (Consular Processing):
- $205 (MRV Fee)
- Total: $205
It’s literally 500 times cheaper. If you are a Singaporean job seeker, you need to make sure your prospective U.S. employer knows this. Most HR departments in the U.S. haven't even heard of the H-1B1. They see "visa" and think "expensive headache." You have to be the expert in the room.
What you should do right now
If you’re eyeing a move to the States, the h-1b1 visa singapore exemption fee is your golden ticket, but you have to play it smart.
First, check your degree. Ensure it’s a four-year degree (or equivalent) that matches your job title. Second, get your Labor Condition Application (LCA) filed early. Even though the H-1B1 is fast, the DOL can still be slow with LCA certifications.
Most importantly, don't let a recruiter bin your resume because they’re scared of the $100,000 fee. Mention the H-1B1 in your cover letter. Explain that because of the FTA, the employer is exempt from the major fees. Honestly, in this economy, being the "affordable" candidate is a massive competitive advantage.
Keep your paperwork organized, prove your ties to Singapore, and you can be in the U.S. in weeks while others are stuck in a lottery they can't afford to win.
To move forward, ensure your employer is aware that the H-1B1 does not require a USCIS petition if you process it through the embassy, and verify that your specific job title falls under the "Specialty Occupation" list defined by the USSFTA.