[johongo]

What were some notable differences between H-1B before and after the fee?

[proberts]

The main changes are that U.S. employers could sponsor those who were outside the U.S. or ineligible to change status or change employers in the U.S. without incurring this fee.

[johongo]

Did the number of applicants go down/approval rate go up as a consequence?

[proberts]

I believe the numbers of H-1B filings has gone down although the H-1B approval rate - so far - seems unchanged.