Trump’s $100,000 H-1B fee may disrupt Indian families in US, says MEA

1. The $100,000 payment is now mandatory for any fresh H-1B petition filed on or after 12:01 AM ET, September 21, 2025.

2. Without payment, petitions will not be processed.

3. Earlier, applicants paid around $215 for registration and $750 for petitions.

4. With visas valid for three years, the cost could reach $300,000 for a standard term

The White House clarified that:

• Petitions already filed or approved remain valid.

• Current H-1B holders are not required to pay the fee.

• Renewals and re-entry for those holding valid visas will continue as before.

Indians account for about 71% of H-1B visa holders, largely in the IT services sector. Companies like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, and Cognizant depend heavily on the program. The clarification provides relief for existing professionals, but new applicants—especially junior and mid-level staff—will face higher barriers.

1. Shares of US-listed Indian IT companies fell between 2% and 5% after the initial announcement.

2. Industry body NASSCOM flagged the one-day transition as disruptive and unrealistic.

3. US tech firms including Microsoft, Amazon, and JPMorgan initially advised H-1B workers abroad to return quickly, though clarification has eased some travel concerns.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick argued past visa policies allowed “bottom quartile” workers, some earning below-average salaries. He said the new fee will filter out low-paid roles and raise over $100 billion for the US Treasury.
President Trump added: “Big tech loves the idea. The funds will help lower debt and taxes.”

H-1B visa holders with valid documents can continue to travel in and out of the United States without paying the new fee. Dependents on H-4 visas are also unaffected, provided their linked H-1B remains valid.

Alongside the fee hike, the administration unveiled the “Gold Card” visa:

• $1 million contribution for individuals or $2 million via corporate sponsorship.

• Offers a direct path to permanent residency.

• Aimed at high-net-worth investors and professionals with extraordinary ability.

1. Indian IT firms may increase outsourcing to India to reduce costs.

2. US companies could focus on hiring Indian-origin professionals already in the US.

3. Legal challenges are expected over the government’s authority to impose such fees.

4. The move underscores a shift to economic-driven immigration policy.

1. Only new petitions face the $100,000 fee.

2. Existing holders and renewals are safe for now.

3. Companies may become more selective, sponsoring only senior or highly specialized talent.

4. The long-term impact will depend on whether courts or Congress push back against the policy.