In a major immigration policy shift, US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation imposing a steep $100,000 (₹88 lakh) fee on H-1B visa applications, a move that could significantly impact the technology sector and thousands of Indian professionals who form the largest group of beneficiaries of the program.
Trump said the decision aims to ensure that only “highly skilled” individuals enter the United States under the H-1B route. “We need workers. We need great workers, and this pretty much ensures that’s what’s going to happen,” he remarked while defending the move under his America First agenda.
What Is the H-1B Visa?
The H-1B is a non-immigrant US visa program created in 1990 to allow companies to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields such as technology, engineering, mathematics, and science. It is initially valid for three years and can be extended up to six years. Those applying are selected through a lottery system administered by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The program has been immensely popular with India, which accounts for over 70 percent of approved H-1B beneficiaries annually, followed by China at 11.7 percent. Major US tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta rely heavily on H-1B workers, employing tens of thousands of foreign professionals each year.
Rising Costs for Indians
The new $100,000 fee could pose a huge obstacle for Indian applicants. Given the long wait times for employment-based Green Cards, many Indian professionals are forced to renew visas repeatedly, which under this rule means paying nearly ₹88 lakh each time. This could discourage smaller companies and mid-level professionals from pursuing opportunities in the United States.
White House staff secretary Will Scharf described the current H-1B system as “one of the most abused” in US immigration, arguing the higher fee would deter misuse and ensure foreign recruits are not easily replaceable by Americans.
Trump Revives Tough Citizenship Test
Alongside the visa fee hike, the Trump administration is reintroducing a more demanding citizenship test. Applicants will need to study 128 questions on US history, civics, and politics, and correctly answer 12 of 20 oral questions. This test was briefly enforced during Trump’s first term but later scrapped under President Joe Biden.
The ‘Gold Card’ Program
In a parallel move, Trump launched a controversial Gold Card visa scheme that allows wealthy individuals to secure long-term US residency by paying $1 million for individual applicants or $2 million for businesses. Trump claims the initiative will raise billions in revenue, reduce taxes, and attract “extraordinary people at the very top” capable of generating jobs in America.
US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick defended the program, criticizing the traditional employment-based green card system for bringing in “bottom quartile” workers earning around $66,000 annually and disproportionately relying on government assistance.
Impact on Global Tech Talent
The steep rise in costs is expected to hit Indian IT professionals hardest and could widen talent gaps for American tech companies. With over 12,000 H-1B approvals for Amazon and more than 5,000 each for Microsoft and Meta in just the first half of 2025, the new rules could create long-term disruptions in the supply of skilled tech workers in the United States.
