India warns of fallout from new US H-1B visa fee
President Donald Trump on Friday ordered that H-1B visa applications submitted from Sept. 21 be accompanied by the fee, more than 60 times the current charge
India on Saturday cautioned that a new US measure imposing a $100,000 fee on skilled worker visa applications could disrupt families and businesses, adding to strains in bilateral ties already tested by trade disputes.
President Donald Trump on Friday ordered that H-1B visa applications submitted from Sept. 21 be accompanied by the fee, more than 60 times the current charge. The White House said the step was aimed at preventing "abuse" of the programme, which allows US companies to employ foreign workers with specialised knowledge, says the BBC.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said the fee would have "humanitarian consequences by way of the disruption caused for families."
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"The government of India hopes that these disruptions can be addressed suitably by the US authorities," it said in a statement, adding that the exchange of skilled workers had "contributed enormously" to both economies.
Indian nationals receive more than 70% of H-1B visas, US government data shows. Nearly 400,000 were approved in 2024, including about 260,000 renewals, according to the Pew Research Center.
Amazon secured the largest number of approvals in the first half of 2025, at 10,044, followed by Indian technology firm Tata Consultancy Services with 5,505, data from US Citizenship and Immigration Services showed.
The White House clarified on Saturday that the new fee will not apply to renewals or current visa holders. The order also allows case-by-case exemptions "if in the national interest."
Some US companies, including Amazon, Microsoft and JPMorgan, advised employees on H-1B visas to remain in the country, or to return quickly if abroad, according to company communications seen by Reuters.
India's top IT industry body, Nasscom, said the abrupt change created "considerable uncertainty for businesses, professionals, and students across the world."
The move comes as New Delhi and Washington remain at odds over tariffs. The United States imposed duties on Indian imports last month in response to India's continued purchases of Russian oil.
India's commerce ministry said Trade Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Washington on Monday for talks.
