US President Donald Trump has announced a major change to the H-1B visa program by introducing a $100,000 (₹88.09 lakh) annual fee for each H-1B visa application. This fee hike includes renewals, too. This sudden fee hike has caused concern in the tech industry and among thousands of foreign professionals working in the US.
Indians, who form the majority of H-1B visa holders, are expected to be affected the most, and as a result, tech companies and industry groups are now advising employees and evaluating the impact of this new rule.
What is H-1B Visa?
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa. This visa allows US companies to hire foreign workers for specialized jobs requiring technical or theoretical knowledge in some of the most popular fields, including IT, engineering, medicine, and finance. Indians received 71% of all approved H-1B visas in 2024, which makes them the largest group of beneficiaries.
What is the Annual Fee?
President Trump signed an executive order introducing a $100,000 annual fee for each H-1B visa, including renewals, on September 19, 2025. This move is aimed at encouraging U.S. companies to hire more American workers.
Tech Companies Respond
After the fee announcement, leading US companies issued urgent guidance for their H-1B and H-4 visa employees. Microsoft said, “We strongly recommend H-1B and H-4 visa holders return to the US tomorrow before the deadline.”
Amazon advised, “If you have H-1B status and are in the US, stay in the country for now,” and added, “We recommend H-1B and H-4 visa holders to return to the US before 12:00 am EDT Sept 21.” Amazon has secured 10,044 approvals till June 30 for H-1B visas.
JPMorgan asked employees to stay in the U.S. and avoid international travel until further notice. These advisories show how urgent it is for visa holders to act quickly.
Why the Fee Hike Matters
Followed by workers from China, most H-1B visa holders are Indians, and many tech companies, from startups to global giants, depend on these visas to hire skilled workers.
It also helps international students move from short-term study to long-term careers in the US.
The $100,000 fee will affect hiring and operations across the technology sector.
Impact on Indian Professionals
Indians are expected to feel the biggest impact, as they make up more than 70% of H-1B holders. The Indian tech industry body, Nasscom, has warned that this policy could disrupt global operations and delay US-based projects for Indian companies.
H-1B Visa Application Process
- Employer Petition – The U.S. employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor.
- Petition Filing – Once the LCA is approved, the employer submits Form I-129 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Fee Payment – For FY 2026, the registration fee is $215 per applicant.
- Lottery Selection – If applications exceed the annual cap, a lottery system decides who is selected.
- Visa Issuance – Selected applicants then apply for the visa at a U.S. consulate.
