The Indian government has raised alarms about a newly imposed $100,000 fee for applicants seeking US skilled worker visas, labeling it as detrimental to families and suggesting it could have 'humanitarian consequences'. President Donald Trump announced this fee on Friday, which is more than 60 times the current charge, set to take effect on September 21.
More than 70% of H-1B visas issued are granted to workers from India, making this fee particularly impactful. In response to the announcement, some US tech companies have advised their employees holding H-1B visas to remain in the US or, if currently outside the country, to attempt to return immediately. The White House later confirmed that the fee would not affect current visas or renewal applications.
In a statement released on Saturday, India's Ministry of External Affairs pointed out that this fee would significantly disrupt family structures, and expressed hope for a reconsideration from US authorities. They highlighted the mutual benefits of skilled worker exchange, which has fostered strong ties between the two nations.
The statement also came in the backdrop of strained trade negotiations following Trump's recent tariffs on Indian oil imports, with projections indicating that the US exported $41.5 billion in goods to India in 2024 while importing over double that amount.
As the situation unfolds, India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is set to visit the US for trade discussions on Monday. The Indian IT sector’s trade association, Nasscom, has voiced concerns that such abrupt changes to the H-1B program create 'considerable uncertainty' for professionals and businesses globally.
While the White House cited concerns over the misuse of visas undermining American wages, it has allowed for 'case-by-case exemptions if in the national interest'. Meanwhile, major corporations, including Amazon and Microsoft, continue to navigate the complexities of this new directive, with precautionary advisories to affected employees as uncertainty looms.
