After slapping 50% tariffs on India, former US President Donald Trump has now dropped another bombshell by increasing the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 (around ₹88 lakh). This move is expected to hit Indians the hardest, as nearly 70% of H-1B visa holders are from India.
Trump’s H-1B Visa Fee Hike Sparks Outrage: AAP Leader Anurag Dhanda
Amid this development, AAP National Media In-charge Anurag Dhanda took to X to question the silence of the Modi government over Trump’s decisions. He wrote:
“Trump – I forced India into a ceasefire, Modi – silence
Trump – 50% tariff hike against India, Modi – silence
Trump – $90 lakh H-1B visa fee, Modi – silence
Trump – Modi is my friend. Modi – Trump is great.”
According to experts, Trump’s decision could create difficulties not just for Indian applicants and companies but may also impact the US economy itself, as the tech industry heavily relies on Indian professionals.
Under the new executive order signed by Trump, companies sponsoring H-1B applicants will now have to pay $100,000 per candidate. White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf explained that the measure aims to ensure that only highly skilled professionals are brought to the US — in fields where American workers cannot fill the gap.
Industry insiders fear that this sharp increase in visa fees could discourage smaller IT firms and startups from hiring foreign talent, limiting opportunities for thousands of Indian engineers and tech workers who aspire to work in the US. Critics argue that this could create a talent vacuum, with long-term implications for innovation and competitiveness in the global market.
So far, the Indian government has not issued an official statement on the matter.
