Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has made a big change to the rules for H-1B visas. The cost of applying for one has gone up to $100,000 (about ₹88 lakh). The goal of the measure, which is meant to limit immigration, is to make sure that only the “most highly skilled” professionals can come to the United States.
The H-1B visa, which is quite popular among Indian professionals, especially in the software industry, will suddenly be much difficult to get. Many workers may have to rethink their intentions to work in the U.S. because each issuance and renewal costs $100,000.
This choice will hurt Indian professionals the most, since they made up 71% of H-1B visa holders last year.
Effects on Businesses and Workers
Meta and Microsoft, two big tech companies, have already told their staff not to leave the U.S. for at least 14 days. People who are currently outside the nation have been told to come back within 24 hours to prevent problems caused by the new policy.
Experts in the field say that the big increase might make it more harder for qualified workers to come to the US, and it could also make many people who already have visas get ready to go back to their home countries.
What is the H-1B visa?
People with specific knowledge in areas like Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Education (STEM) can work in the U.S. on an H-1B visa. To be eligible, applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree and be sponsored by an American employer, who files a petition on their behalf.
There is also an H-1B3 visa just for fashion models who have “distinguished merit and ability.”
Other options for the H-1B visa
Many professionals are now looking into other visas because the costs are so high:
O-1 Visa: For people who have done amazing things in their field, such artists, STEM experts, or people who work in the film and TV sector. Good for three years, with the option to extend.
L-1 Visa: For moving people within a company, this lets international companies move managers or executives to their U.S. operations.
What is going on right now?
The H-1B visa limit for FY 2026 has already been reached, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). There are 65,000 ordinary cap petitions and 20,000 more under the U.S. master’s cap.
This enormous increase in fees is likely to change the immigration picture, especially for Indian IT workers, who are the backbone of the U.S. IT industry.