Trump Announces Huge H1-B Visa Fee Hike in Move That Could Impact Indian Workers in the US

PTI, NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, SEPT 20, 2025 : In a development that could adversely affect Indian professionals in the US, President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation to raise the fee for H-1B visas to a staggering USD 100,000 annually, a move described by American lawmakers and community leaders as "reckless" and "unfortunate." The US President on Friday signed the proclamation 'Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers', saying the abuse of the H-1B visa program is a "national security threat."

Immigration attorneys and companies have asked H-1B visa holders or their family members currently outside America for work or vacation to return within the next 24 hours or risk being stranded and denied entry into the US after the proclamation comes into effect from 12:01 am, September 21.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi described the decision to hike the H-1B visa fee as a "reckless attempt to cut America off from high-skilled workers who have long strengthened our workforce, fueled innovation, and helped build industries that employ millions of Americans." Ajay Bhutoria, a former advisor to President Joe Biden and Asian-American community leader on immigration policy, warned of a potential crisis for the US technology sector's competitive edge with Trump's decision on the H-1B visa fee.

"The H-1B programme, a lifeline for innovation that has attracted top talent from around the world, faces unprecedented barriers with this massive jump from the current USD 2000–USD 5000 total fee, which will crush small businesses and startups reliant on diverse talent," he said.

Currently, the H-1B visa fee ranges from about USD 2000 to USD 5000, depending on employer size and other costs. The visas are valid for three years and can be renewed for another three years. The move is going to significantly impact Indian technology workers who are hired by tech companies and others on H-1B visas. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is the second-highest beneficiary with 5,505 approved H-1B visas in 2025, after Amazon (10,044 workers on H-1B visas), according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Other top beneficiaries 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).

In his proclamation, Trump said the H-1B visa programme was created to bring temporary workers into the US to perform additive, high-skilled functions, but it has been deliberately exploited to replace, rather than supplement, American workers with lower-paid, lower-skilled labour. "The abuse of the H-1B programme is also a national security threat. Domestic law enforcement agencies have identified and investigated H-1B-reliant outsourcing companies for engaging in visa fraud, conspiracy to launder money, and other illicit activities to encourage foreign workers to come to the US," he said.

Trump said that it is necessary to impose higher costs on companies seeking to use the H-1B programme to address the abuse of that programme while still permitting companies to hire the best of the best temporary foreign workers. On whether the technology CEOs, who hire foreign workers on H-1B visas, are concerned about the new move, the President said they're going to be "very happy."