US President Trump orders hike in H-1B visa fee to $100,000 per year; India shows serious concern

STC EDITORIAL DESK
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 20 (STC): Giving a new twist to relations with India, U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday signed a proclamation raising the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 per year from the current level rating from from $2,000 to $5,000 per application. By virtue of this proclamation, the fee will amount to $300,000 for the initial three-year visa period, once the rule is implemented, reports appearing in cross section of media said.
The proclamation “Restriction on entry of certain nonimmigrant workers,” claims the H-1B program had been exploited to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign labor.
Reportedly, the new fee takes effect from 12:01 am on September 21, 2025, prompting immigration attorneys and companies to advise H-1B holders or their families currently outside the US to return immediately or risk being stranded.
Reports quoting U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that the details were “still being considered.”
Notably, the H-1B visa is a U.S. work visa that allows companies to employ foreign professionals in specialised fields like technology, engineering, and medicine. A report reveals that Indians account for the largest share of H-1B visa holders, making up 71% of all beneficiaries in FY2024.
Reacting to the development, which in no way is healthy for the Indians working in US, the Central government has expressed serious concern over the US President’s move, calling it a potential disruption for skilled Indian professionals and their families in the United States.
In an official statement, the spokesperson said the full implications are being studied, noting that Indian industry has already put out an initial analysis clarifying some perceptions related to the H-1B program.
“Industry in both India and the US has a stake in innovation and creativity and can be expected to consult on the best path forward,” the statement said and added that policymakers will assess recent steps taking into account mutual benefits, which include strong people-to-people ties between the two countries.
The government also drew attention to the humanitarian consequences of the proposed restrictions, particularly the disruption caused to families. “We hope these disruptions can be addressed suitably by the US authorities,” the statement said.
As reported by the Times of India, impact on Indian IT companies and professionals is huge. It states that the Indian IT firms are among the largest beneficiaries of H-1B visas. “In 2025, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) received 5,505 approvals, after Amazon with 10,044. Other top recipients include Microsoft, Meta, Apple, Google, Infosys, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra Americas,” said the report.
Meanwhile, US officials have defended the fee hike. White House staff secretary Will Scharf described H-1B as “one of the most abused visa systems,” while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the program will now admit only “extraordinary people at the very top,” generating over USD 100 billion for the US Treasury, reads the Times of India report.
(Straight Talk Communications)