US-India Trade Talks May Reconsider Trump’s H-1B Visa Fee Plan
Indian tech workers face H-1B visa fee hikes under Trump. Congress, courts, and trade talks may influence the final decision.
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Former US Ambassador to New Delhi Tim Roemer said the proposed $100,000 fee on Indians applying for fresh H-1B visas could become a discussion point after the completion of ongoing trade negotiations between Washington and New Delhi. Speaking to NDTV on Monday, Roemer noted the measure “creates a disruption” in bilateral ties but expressed hope that it could be revisited once trade talks conclude.
Roemer emphasized that granting H-1B visas to Indian professionals benefits the US economy. He highlighted that foreign-trained students and skilled workers often create “hundreds, if not thousands of jobs” in the American workforce.
The remarks followed the Trump administration’s significant overhaul of the H-1B visa program aimed at restricting certain immigrant categories. The newly proposed $100,000 fee is expected to directly impact Indian IT companies and highly skilled professionals seeking employment in the US.
India has recently finalized trade agreements with the UK, Israel, and Australia. Roemer suggested that similar arrangements could be negotiated with the United States, citing interests in technology, trade, chip manufacturing, and clean energy. In such a scenario, the H-1B visa issue could potentially be reconsidered by the US administration.
If no resolution is reached through negotiations, Roemer identified two other possible avenues. He said the courts might intervene if the President is perceived to have exceeded authority over visa regulations. Additionally, Congress could assert its prerogative, as it controls H-1B visa allocations, potentially influencing US-India relations through legislative action.
On September 19, the Trump administration announced that companies would need to pay $100,000 annually for each H-1B visa worker. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that the fee was intended to encourage the hiring of American graduates instead of foreign professionals. The tech sector, which contributed substantial campaign funding to Trump, has expressed concern over the potential impact of the new rules.
The White House clarified that the new visa fee might not apply to doctors. This follows concerns from leading medical organizations about healthcare shortages in rural areas. Data indicates that over 76 million Americans reside in regions designated as primary care shortage areas.
India received the largest share of H-1B visas in 2024, with 71% of approvals going to Indian nationals. The proposed visa changes coincide with broader trade tensions between the two countries. Earlier, Trump had imposed tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% levy in July and additional tariffs on Russian oil purchases by India. Despite these measures, the US President recently indicated willingness to negotiate trade barriers with New Delhi.
