H-1B Visa LIVE: Trump’s $100,000 Fee Hike Sparks Panic Among Indian IT Firms, Students, and Professionals

Indian IT companies and professionals are bracing for a major shock after US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation raising the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 annually. The move, effective 12:01 am on September 21, has drawn sharp criticism from industry body Nasscom, which called the one-day implementation deadline “a source of considerable uncertainty” for businesses, students, and professionals worldwide.

Nasscom Flags One-Day Deadline

It had been warned by Nasscom that the sudden announcement left little room for companies and visa holders to plan. The new visa fees, which were never lower than $2,000 and rarely above $5,000, now stand at a price tag of as much as $300,000 for an initial three-year period. This dramatic hike can be severely detrimental to IT companies, students, and professionals who plan to prepare themselves for higher education or work in the States.

Indian Workers Most Affected

Indians, who account for 71% of all H-1B visa holders in FY2024, face the steepest impact. The new annual fee exceeds 60% of the median salary of Indian professionals in the US.

According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):

• Amazon employs 10,044 H-1B workers
• TCS follows with 5,505 visas approved
• Others top sponsors include Microsoft (5,189), Meta (5,123), Apple (4,202), Google (4,181), Deloitte (2,353), Infosys (2,004), Wipro (1,523), and Tech Mahindra Americas (951).

Immigration attorneys have advised H-1B workers and their family members who are currently outside the United States to return at once or risk being stranded upon this rule going into effect.

Political and Industry Reactions

The move has been described as “reckless” and “unfortunate” by US lawmakers and community leaders.

In India, political voices have also weighed in. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav slammed the Centre, calling the development proof of a “weak foreign policy.” He warned the move could directly hit investments and jobs in states like Uttar Pradesh, where global firms such as Infosys and Samsung have expanded operations.

Broader Visa Shake-up

As the Trump administration justifies the higher fee, alleging that the program of H-1B is vulnerable to abuse and threatens the nation's security, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that this $100,000 fee would apply for each year of the three years, although some details are still being reviewed.

At the same time, the US government is reportedly considering an overhaul of the immigration system, including a “gold card” program offering residency to wealthy foreigners investing $5 million.

What’s at Stake

The H-1B visa, vital for the US tech industry, allows companies to employ skilled foreign professionals in technology, engineering, and medicine. However, experts warn that the steep fee hike could:

• Drive up costs for Indian and US firms alike
• Reduce hiring of foreign talent in critical tech roles
• Push more innovation and patents to Indian cities instead of Silicon Valley

As the deadline looms, uncertainty grips both Indian IT majors and US tech giants that depend on H-1B workers to maintain their competitive edge.