The United States has started clearing and approving some H-1B visa petitions that were filed without paying a proposed $100,000 fee. Multiple outlets say the move comes after federal courts issued orders blocking enforcement of the fee, prompting employers to proceed with overseas hiring where the fee had been a barrier.

The underlying dispute is described as ongoing: outlets note that the $100,000 fee issue is still under appeal, and not all petitions are immediately processed at the same speed. Reporting also points to uneven processing timelines, with some applications remaining pending and some moving forward after USCIS begins acting on the court decisions.

Across coverage, the main emphasis differs between general “what it means” framing for Indian professionals and more detailed discussion of the legal timeline and USCIS processing performance. One outlet focuses on the visa approvals in direct response to the court’s order, while another highlights the fee’s origin and how USCIS states it will act if the court rulings are overturned.