Trump Administration Proposes $103,000 Fee for H-1B Visas

The Trump administration announced a proposal on Monday to implement a fee of approximately $103,000 for H-1B visa sponsorships. This regulatory action follows a June federal court decision that struck down a previous $100,000 fee policy, a ruling the administration is currently appealing.

Government officials stated the proposal aims to protect American workers by reducing the reliance on the H-1B program. Data from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services shows that Indian-born workers accounted for 71% of approved H-1B petitions in fiscal 2024.

Indian technology firms report reduced exposure to these restrictions due to a strategic shift toward local hiring within the United States and an increase in remote work from India. Major firms including Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, and Infosys have stated they have significantly localized their US workforces. Nasscom, representing India's IT industry, noted that firms have also invested in US STEM education to mitigate skill gaps.