Working in the US could soon become much more expensive for Indian professionals.
The Trump administration has proposed a huge increase in the H-1B visa fee, a move that could make US companies think twice before hiring talent from abroad.
According to the proposal, the fee for certain new H-1B visa applications could be raised to $103,265 (around ₹98.86 lakh).
If approved, it would be one of the biggest changes to the H-1B visa program in recent years.
Indian Professionals May Face the Biggest Impact
The H-1B visa allows US companies to hire skilled foreign workers in fields such as technology, engineering, research, and education.
Every year, the US issues 65,000 regular H-1B visas, along with 20,000 additional visas for applicants who have earned advanced degrees from US universities.
Indian professionals are expected to be the most affected by the proposed fee hike.
According to official data, around 70% of H-1B visa holders in FY2025 were Indians, while Chinese nationals made up about 12%.
If the proposal becomes law, hiring workers directly from countries like India could become much more expensive for US employers.
Who Will Not Have to Pay the New Fee?
The proposed fee will not apply to every H-1B applicant.
People already living in the US on student visas who later switch to an H-1B visa will be exempt.
The higher fee also will not apply to H-1B visa renewals.
The biggest impact will be on companies hiring skilled professionals directly from overseas. In such cases, employers may have to pay up to $103,265 for a single H-1B visa, which could discourage overseas hiring.
Proposal Still Not Final
This is currently only a proposal and has not been implemented yet.
Earlier, the government had proposed a $100,000 H-1B fee, but a federal court blocked the plan.
The new proposal will now go through a 30-day public comment period before any final decision is taken.
At present, H-1B visa fees generally range between $2,000 and $5,000.
If the new fee is approved, the cost of hiring foreign professionals will rise sharply, with Indian workers likely to be the most affected.
