India Raises Concerns Over New US $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

Tue Sep 30 2025 03:54:51 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The Indian government warns of serious humanitarian consequences following the announcement of a steep fee hike for H-1B visa applications by the US, set to take effect soon.

India's Ministry of External Affairs has expressed alarm over a new US policy imposing a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, citing potential disruptions to families. The fee, which is significantly higher than the previous amount, was announced by President Trump and is predominantly expected to affect Indian workers who represent over 70% of H-1B visa recipients. The Indian government has called for US authorities to address these humanitarian concerns as trade ties between the two nations remain under strain.

The Indian government has said a new $100,000 (£74,000) fee for applicants seeking US skilled worker visas will have humanitarian consequences.

President Donald Trump on Friday ordered the new fee for H-1B visa applications, which is more than 60 times the amount currently charged, to go into effect on 21 September.

Workers from India receive by far the most skilled visas in the programme, at just more than 70% of those issued.

Some US tech companies reportedly advised employees with H-1B visas to stay in the US or, if they were out of the country, to return immediately. The White House then clarified that the fee will not apply to current visas or renewal applications.

A statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday stated that the fee would have humanitarian consequences by way of the disruption caused for families.

The Indian government hopes that these disruptions can be addressed suitably by the US authorities, it added.

The statement emphasized that the exchange of skilled workers has contributed enormously to both nations, urging policymakers to consider the mutual benefits, including the strong people-to-people ties.

The announcement did not provide specifics on any potential response from India's government, though tensions have escalated recently over trade negotiations.

Since Trump imposed tariffs on India last month for purchasing Russian oil, the two countries have been in difficult discussions. In 2024, the US exported $41.5 billion to India while importing over double that amount.

India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is set to visit the US for trade talks amid these developments.

Nasscom, India's leading trade body, noted that such a major change in the H-1B program has created considerable uncertainty for businesses, professionals, and students across the world.

In announcing the new fee, the White House cited that many visas were being abused to undermine American wages and outsource jobs.

The order also allows for case-by-case exemptions if in the national interest.

The skilled visa route aims to enable US companies to employ foreign workers with highly specialized knowledge temporarily.

In 2024, nearly 400,000 H-1B visas were approved, with Amazon leading the approvals.

The implementation of this fee means future applications from workers currently outside the US will now require substantial fees, raising concerns about accessibility to this important immigration route.