In a move that offers relief to several Indians, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has clarified that the newly introduced USD 100,000 H-1B visa fee will not apply to applicants who are seeking a "change of status" or an "extension of stay" within the country.

According to the latest USCIS guidelines issued on Monday (local time), applicants already present in the US on another visa—such as an F-1 visa for international students or an L-1 visa for intra-company transfers—can change their status to H-1B without incurring the new fee, news agency ANI reported.