By Business Desk,News18,Varun Yadav

Copyright news18

Other nations, including Germany, China, and many others, are scrambling to lure the top talent of India in science and technology fields as the Donald Trump-led United States has begun clamping down H-1B visa as an attempt to dissuade immigration to the United States, particularly from India and China.

Last Friday, the Trump administration issued a proclamation stating that the H-1B visa fee has been hiked to a staggering $100,000, which caused widespread panic, confusion, and concern.

On September 21, the Donald Trump administration clarified that the new USD 100,000 fee for H-1B visas is a one-time payment applicable only to new petitions and does not apply to current visa holders, providing a huge relief for thousands of concerned professionals working in the US, including those from India.

But it still reflects the Trump administration’s stance to dissuade immigration to the United States. Since Donald Trump has taken the reins in his hands, he is advocating against immigration under the H-1B visa and taking measures to make it harder and stricter.

The Trump administration on Tuesday proposed changes to the H-1B visa programme to favour higher-paid, more skilled workers and end the existing lottery system.

The new proposal aims to implement a weighted selection process that prioritises visas for higher-skilled and better-paid workers, while still allowing employers to hire workers at all wage levels.

According to a notice in the Federal Register, the proposed changes aim to prioritise visa petitions from employers who offer higher wages. If the number of applications exceeds the annual cap of 85,000, those offering better pay will receive preference, Reuters reported.

Officials say the move is intended to protect American workers from wage suppression caused by the hiring of lower-paid foreign professionals. The plan is part of Trump’s broader effort to tighten immigration policies and reshape the US labour market.

European countries like Germany and the UK are looking to woo India’s bright minds by offering low-fee visas and an easier process. In fact, China has introduced a K-visa to lure talent in science and tech fields.

The UK has activated its global talent taskforce to attract top scientists, academics, and tech experts by considering cuts or even scrapping visa fees for those from the world’s top universities or with prestigious awards, the Financial Times reported. The move, similar to the H-1B revamp, focuses on high-value professionals while sidelining junior and mid-level talent. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves also hinted at tax reforms to make Britain more appealing for skilled workers.

However, the UK has earlier made immigration rules stricter and applied measures targeting the skilled worker category. This led to the sharp fall in visa applications from Indian students and workers.

Germany too became stricter in immigration laws.

German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, in a video message, pitched Germany as a stable and reliable alternative to the US. He highlighted that Indians in Germany earn, on average, more than native Germans, underscoring their significant contribution to the country’s economy and welfare system. “We believe in hard work and in offering the best jobs to the best people,” Ackermann added.

A person now needs to stay in Germany for at least five years to be eligible for citizenship, unlike three years in previous times.

Canada, despite its reputation for inclusive immigration policies, has witnessed a 50% year-on-year drop in work permit issuances between January and June 2025. The country has also tightened integrity checks across student and temporary worker pathways.