India Warns US Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
The Indian government has raised strong concerns over a sudden change to the US H-1B visa program, warning that it could create what officials described as "humanitarian consequences." The controversy centers on a new rule announced by President Donald Trump, which requires a staggering $100,000 annual fee for skilled worker visa applications. To put that in perspective, it is more than sixty times the current charge of $1,500. The fee is set to take effect immediately, starting September 21.
Why is this such a big deal? Well, Indian nationals are by far the largest group of H-1B recipients, making up over 70% of approvals. These visas are a crucial pathway for highly skilled professionals—especially in tech—to work in the United States. Many US-based companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and JP Morgan rely heavily on H-1B holders, so the new cost has sparked confusion and alarm across industries. In fact, some companies have reportedly advised employees to stay inside the US or, if they are abroad, to return as soon as possible before the fee kicks in.
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India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement expressing that such a dramatic policy shift could disrupt families and livelihoods. Officials stressed that the movement of skilled workers has benefitted both nations for decades, strengthening economic ties and building people-to-people connections. The ministry also made it clear that New Delhi hopes Washington will reconsider or at least mitigate the disruptions. However, no details were shared about how India might respond if the policy goes forward.
This move comes at a time of already tense relations between India and the US. Only last month, Washington imposed tariffs on India over its continued purchase of Russian oil. Now, with trade negotiations ongoing, India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is preparing to visit the US, and this visa issue will almost certainly be part of the talks.
The White House, on the other hand, has defended the decision. Officials claimed that H-1B visas have sometimes been misused to undercut American wages or outsource IT jobs. While exceptions will exist for cases deemed in the "national interest," the scale of the new fee has left businesses, professionals, and even students facing considerable uncertainty.
It is worth noting that nearly 400,000 H-1B visas were approved in 2024, with around 260,000 of those being renewals. Amazon alone accounted for more than 10,000 approvals in the first half of 2025, while Tata Consultancy Services, a major Indian IT firm, followed closely with over 5,500.
For now, what lies ahead is unclear. While some companies are bracing for the worst, India has chosen to highlight the shared benefits of the H-1B program, signaling that dialogue and diplomacy may be the only way forward. What is certain is that a $100,000 fee is not just a policy adjustment—it’s a potential game-changer for workers, families, and businesses on both sides of the globe.
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