VOI World/ Desk
In a sweeping change affecting foreign skilled workers, the U.S. administration has introduced an executive order raising the fee for new H-1B visa petitions to US$100,000, beginning September 21, 2025. The fee applies to applications filed by those residing outside of the U.S. — for employers sponsoring such H-1B workers. Current H-1B holders already in the United States are not directly affected by the new charge.
India is set to feel a strong impact: Indian nationals made up about 71% of H-1B visa beneficiaries last year. Major Indian IT firms warn that the fee will severely increase costs, hitting contracts, margins, and competitiveness. Shares of firms like Infosys and Wipro have already fallen in response to the announcement.
Critics argue the fee undermines U.S. innovation by making it harder to attract global talent, especially for startups and sectors dependent on high-skill foreign workers. On the other hand, former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant called the move “America’s loss” and believes it could “turbocharge India’s growth,” pushing tech talent and innovation hubs to cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Gurugram.
The announcement has already prompted companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, and JPMorgan to advise H-1B and H-4 visa holders outside the U.S. to return ahead of the fee change. Experts warn that unless adjustments are made, the U.S. risks losing its edge in global competitiveness while India may gain a window to strengthen its own tech ecosystem.
