Trump Hikes H-1B Visa Fee To $100,000: Major Blow To Indian Tech Workers

News In Short:

President Donald Trump has raised the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 a year, calling the programme a national security risk. The drastic hike threatens Indian professionals, IT outsourcing firms, and US tech companies dependent on foreign talent. Critics warn the move could weaken America’s innovation edge and push skilled workers toward rival countries.

News in Detail: H-1B visa

In a major setback for Indian professionals working in the United States, President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation drastically raising the annual H-1B visa fee to an unprecedented $100,000. The move, which takes effect at 12:01 am on September 21, 2025, has been slammed by lawmakers and community leaders as “reckless” and “unfortunate.”

The proclamation, titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers,” claims that misuse of the H-1B visa programme poses a national security threat. Immigration lawyers have urgently advised H-1B holders and their families currently outside the US to return immediately or risk being stranded once the new rule kicks in.

Sharp Criticism from Lawmakers and Experts

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi called the decision “a reckless attempt to cut America off from high-skilled workers who have long strengthened our workforce, fuelled innovation, and created millions of jobs.”

Immigration policy advocate Ajay Bhutoria, a former Biden advisor, warned that such a steep hike will damage America’s technology sector. “The H-1B programme has always been a lifeline for innovation. Raising the cost from $2,000–$5,000 to $100,000 will crush startups and small businesses that rely on global talent,” he said.

Community leaders argue that the move threatens Silicon Valley’s competitiveness and risks pushing top talent to rival destinations like Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Tech Giants Among the Hardest Hit

The impact will be significant for Indian tech workers, who make up the largest share of H-1B visa holders. According to USCIS data for 2025, major beneficiaries include:

Amazon: 10,044 visas
TCS: 5,505
Microsoft: 5,189
Meta: 5,123
Apple: 4,202
Google: 4,181
Deloitte, Infosys, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra among others.

Indian outsourcing firms, which depend heavily on H-1B workers, are expected to be the most affected.

Trump Defends the Move

Trump said the fee hike is necessary to curb abuse of the programme. “The H-1B system was designed to bring in top talent, but many outsourcing companies have misused it to replace American workers with cheaper labour. This has harmed US workers and created security risks,” he argued.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick added that the programme will now generate “over $100 billion” in revenue for the US Treasury. He emphasized that only “extraordinary talent” should qualify, rather than those “taking jobs from Americans.”

The new rule applies not only to fresh applicants but also to renewals, leaving thousands of Indian professionals already in the US uncertain about their future.

Panic Among Visa Holders

Immigration attorney Cyrus Mehta warned that H-1B workers currently abroad may be locked out of the US if they don’t return before the September 21 deadline. Reports suggest companies like Microsoft have already sent internal advisories asking H-1B employees to avoid international travel until further clarity.

Introduction of the “Gold Card”

Alongside the proclamation, Trump announced a new visa pathway called the “Gold Card.” Under this programme, individuals contributing $1 million personally (or $2 million through corporate sponsorship) to the US Treasury will gain expedited visa processing and a fast-track to permanent residency.

What This Means

The unprecedented hike is expected to reshape the future of skilled immigration in the US. For Indian IT professionals and outsourcing firms, the policy could prove devastating. Critics argue that at a time when global competition for talent is intensifying, the US risks shutting its doors to the very innovators who built its tech dominance.

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