US President Donald Trump’s new H-1B visa policy has created a global stir.
The tech industry was already concerned about the new $100,000 (around Rs 8.4 million) fee on high-skilled foreign workers.
Now, the White House has added an unexpected detail: doctors may be exempt from this fee.
This possible exemption comes as a relief, especially given the serious shortage of doctors in rural America, where foreign-trained medical professionals play a critical role in providing care.
Exemption for Doctors and Medical Residents
The Trump administration’s announcement worried both tech companies and the medical community.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told Bloomberg News that President Trump’s proclamation allows for “potential exemptions,” which could include physicians and medical residents.
The executive order, signed during Trump’s final week in office, states that the $100,000 fee can be waived if the US Homeland Security Secretary determines it is in the “national interest” to hire certain workers.
Rogers emphasized that the administration is relying on the language of this proclamation.
Concerns from the Medical Community
Medical organizations have raised alarms about the new fees.
The American Medical Association and other bodies warn that high costs could discourage international medical graduates from working in the US, especially in rural areas.
Foreign doctors are vital to the American healthcare system, particularly in regions facing severe shortages of local medical professionals.
Many hospitals depend on these international doctors to keep healthcare services running smoothly.
