Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the US imposed a fee of $100,000 (Rs 88 lakh) on H-1B visas and claimed that India has a “weak Prime Minister”.
राष्ट्रपति ट्रंप ने अब फोड़ा वीजा ‘बम’ H-1B वीजा के नियमों में किया बदलाव, राहुल ने मोदी को घेरा, कहा ‘भारत के पास एक कमजोर प्रधानमंत्री है’
H1-B visa rules have changed in the US. Donald Trump signed an executive order revising the H1-B visa rules. Under the new rule, a fee of $100,000 has been made mandatory for new H-1B visa applications. In Indian currency, the US will charge ₹8.8 million annually for new applications. The question now is: who will this new rule be aimed at? Who will be most affected? Will Indian engineers also be affected? This is a major change to the way the H-1B visa program works. It is expected to affect thousands of skilled foreign workers, who make up the largest portion of H-1B visa holders in the US. Indian professionals will be the hardest hit.
What are the new H-1B visa application rules?
Donald Trump signed a new executive order on Saturday regarding H-1B applications. Under this, anyone applying for an H-1B visa will now have to pay a fee of $100,000 annually to process their application. This translates to approximately ₹8.8 million annually in Indian currency. This rule applies to both new and existing applications.
Employers must maintain proof of payment for the H-1B visa. During visa processing, the Secretary of State will verify whether the payment was made. If the payment is missing, the application will be rejected by the State Department or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This rule also affects those applying for H-1B visas from outside the US. If their application does not include the required payment, it will not be approved. Only in rare cases where it is in the national interest or exceptions will exceptions be considered.
Who will be most affected?
Indeed, the US has taken this step to tighten immigration. This new order by Trump will affect more Indians. Because Indians benefit the most from H-1B visas, entry under the H-1B visa program is restricted until the application fee is paid. Last year, India benefited the most from H-1B visas. Indians accounted for 71% of beneficiaries, while China came in second with 11.7%. The H-1B visa program is reserved for people working in specialized occupations, often related to the technology sector. These may include software engineers, tech program managers, and other IT professionals.
The two main Indian groups benefiting from the H-1B program are Indian professionals working for major US-based IT companies and Indian students graduating with master’s or PhD degrees from US universities. These individuals apply for the most H-1B visas so they can live and work in the US.
Most Indian employers in the US operate in STEM fields. According to a BBC 2023 report, approximately 65% of Indian H-1B visa holders work in computer-related jobs. The average salary for H-1B holders is reported to be around $118,000 per year.
Why has this rule been introduced?
The Trump administration states that this rule is intended to prevent abuse of the H-1B program and protect American jobs. According to the order, some American workers in the IT sector have been replaced by cheaper foreign labor. It is argued that charging more for H-1B visas will limit unnecessary applications and force companies to focus on American workers. Companies will be forced to hire foreign workers only when they truly need them. However, every company will now be mindful of this hefty salary. However, critics believe this could have a negative impact on the US economy, especially in industries that rely heavily on global talent, especially workers from India and China.
What will happen next for H-1B visa holders?
The US issues 85,000 H-1B visas each year through a lottery system. With the new rule, many current and future visa holders may struggle to pay the annual fee. This could result in them losing job opportunities if their company decides not to pay the fee. They may be forced to leave the US if they are unable to meet the new financial requirement.
For Indian students and recent graduates, this change could mean fewer job opportunities, greater financial pressure, and limited opportunities to stay and work in the US after completing their studies. Although the H-1B visa is temporary (valid for up to six years), many visa holders use it as a path to permanent residence (a green card). The new fee could slow or block that path for many, especially those just starting their careers in the US.
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