H-1B visa fee proposal could push the cost of sponsoring some foreign workers above $2 lakh, or roughly Rs 2 crore, if two separate Trump administration measures ultimately apply to the same petition.
The latest proposal has raised fresh concerns among Indian professionals and US employers.
The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed an additional fee of $103,265 for certain H-1B petitions subject to the annual cap.
The proposal is not yet a final rule and is currently open for public comments.
[[H2: H-1B Visa Fee Proposal Raises Cost Concerns]]
The proposed $103,265 charge is separate from a $100,000 payment introduced by the Trump administration in 2025 for certain H-1B cases.
A federal court blocked implementation of that earlier fee, and the matter remains under legal challenge.
If both amounts were ultimately applied to the same H-1B petition, the combined cost would reach $203,265.
At current exchange rates, that is roughly Rs 2 crore, although this is not a new universal H-1B fee that applicants are currently required to pay.
Why Indian Workers Could Feel the Impact
The proposed changes are particularly important for Indian professionals because Indians account for a large share of H-1B recipients.
Higher employer costs could make companies more cautious about sponsoring foreign workers for jobs in the US.
The potential impact extends beyond technology.
US companies, universities and healthcare organisations that depend on skilled foreign workers could also face higher costs if the proposed fee becomes effective.
For Indian students and professionals hoping to build careers in the US, the proposal adds another layer of uncertainty to an already changing immigration environment.
$103,265 Fee Is Still Only a Proposal
The DHS proposal has not yet become a final rule.
Public comments on the proposed $103,265 fee are open until September 24, 2026, after which the government can consider feedback before deciding on the final policy.
The earlier $100,000 fee is also facing legal challenges.
Therefore, the widely reported figure of about $2 lakh represents a possible combined cost rather than a fee that every H-1B applicant must currently pay.
What the H-1B Changes Mean for Employers
The H-1B programme allows US employers to hire foreign professionals for specialised occupations.
The annual cap is 85,000, including 65,000 regular places and 20,000 additional places for qualifying applicants with advanced degrees from US universities.
If the proposed fee structure is implemented, employers would need to consider a significantly higher financial commitment when sponsoring certain foreign workers.
The final impact will depend on the outcome of the rule-making process and the ongoing legal proceedings.
