US Plans to Hike H-1B Visa Fee to Over $100,000: Indians Likely to Face the Heat

The United States is moving ahead with a proposal that could sharply increase the cost of certain H-1B visa petitions to $103,265, raising fresh concerns for foreign skilled workers and the companies that employ them. The proposal was published in the Federal Register on Monday as part of the US Department of Homeland Security's efforts to tighten the H-1B programme. H-1B Visa Fee Could Cross $100,000 If implemented, the proposed fee would represent a dramatic increase in the cost of hiring certain foreign professionals through the H-1B programme. The H-1B visa is widely used by US companies to recruit skilled workers, particularly in technology and other specialised fields. The latest proposal follows the Trump administration's earlier attempt to impose a $100,000 payment requirement on certain new H-1B petitions. That earlier measure was struck down by a federal court, which ruled against the administration's authority to impose the charge. The new regulatory proposal seeks to establish a similar high-cost requirement through the rule-making process. Why Indians Could Be Hit Hard The proposed change is particularly significant for Indian professionals. According to data cited by NDTV, Indian-born beneficiaries accounted for 71 per cent of H-1B petitions approved in fiscal 2024, making Indians the largest group benefiting from the programme. A fee exceeding $100,000 could therefore have a substantial impact on Indian technology professionals seeking employment in the United States. It could also increase costs for US companies that depend on international talent, potentially making them more cautious about sponsoring new foreign workers. OPT Students Could Also Face Higher Costs The H-1B proposal is not the only immigration-related fee change under consideration. The Department of Homeland Security is also working on a separate proposal concerning F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT).