Trump moves to hike H-1B visa fee to over $100,000: What it means for Indians - The Indian Express

**Trump Administration Proposes $103,265 Fee for H‑1B Visas**

Washington – The U.S. Department of State, under President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, has announced a draft rule that would raise the filing fee for H‑1B specialty‑worker visas to **$103,265** per petition. The proposal, unveiled in a Federal Register notice, bundles a $5,000 application charge with a $97,500 “immigration enforcement” surcharge that the administration says will fund border security, immigration courts and a “digital tracking system” for non‑immigrant workers. The rule also includes a mandatory $1,500 premium for “premium processing” and a $2,000 fee for the required Labor Condition Application, bringing the total cost to well over six figures for each foreign‑national applicant.

Indian professionals, who account for roughly **70 % of all H‑1B beneficiaries**, are expected to feel the brunt of the change. Many Indian engineers, data scientists and IT consultants rely on the program to work for U.S. tech firms, and the new fee would effectively shift the financial burden onto their employers, who may be reluctant to absorb such an expense. Industry groups such as the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) warn that the hike could drive companies to seek alternatives—such as the L‑1 intra‑company transfer or the O‑1 “extraordinary ability” visa—or to relocate talent to countries with more affordable immigration pathways. Smaller startups, which historically have depended on the H‑1B pipeline to compete with larger firms, could see their growth plans stalled, potentially curbing innovation and job creation in the tech sector.

The proposal has sparked a swift response from both sides of the Atlantic. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement urging the U.S. to consider the “adverse impact on Indo‑U.S. economic ties” and called for a dialogue before any rule is finalized. Several Indian tech associations, including NASSCOM, have pledged to lobby U.S. legislators and file legal challenges, citing concerns that the fee violates the Immigration and Nationality Act’s prohibition on discriminatory treatment of applicants based on nationality. Meanwhile, some Republican lawmakers have expressed support, arguing that the fee will deter “visa shopping” and protect American workers. The rule will undergo a 60‑day public comment period, after which the administration may revise the figures before a final decision is made later this year.