Washington: The Trump administration has announced a major overhaul of the H-1B visa program, increasing the application fee to $100,000 (approximately Rs 83 lakh). White House officials stated that the move aims to boost employment opportunities for American workers by discouraging companies from hiring foreign talent at lower wages. Experts warn that the new fee could place a significant financial burden on small and mid-sized U.S. tech firms, potentially limiting their ability to employ highly skilled Indian IT professionals. Currently, H-1B application costs amount to only a few hundred dollars, with companies typically covering the fees.
BREAKING: America raises H1B visa fee to $100,000 per person per year
“This will stop Big Tech companies from bringing in foreign workers who will take our jobs,” says Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in a move that will hit Indian tech workers in America pic.twitter.com/aVKfUnijne
— Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) September 19, 2025
Introduced in 1990, the H-1B program allows U.S. companies to hire highly skilled foreign professionals, particularly in technology. Indians account for 71% of all H-1B beneficiaries, while China holds 11.7%. Visas are valid for three to six years and issued through a lottery system, with 85,000 visas allocated annually. The administration cited misuse of the program as a rationale for the fee hike, alleging that some firms employ foreign workers at lower wages to suppress salaries for American employees.
The move has sparked mixed reactions. While the White House maintains that the policy ensures only the most skilled professionals are hired, critics warn it could undermine U.S. innovation and push companies to relocate operations abroad. Legal challenges to the new fee structure are also expected. The changes are raising concerns among Indian IT professionals and students aspiring to work or study in the United States.