By Don Tomslee
Copyright indiatimes
TOI-OnlineIndian professionals comprise 71% of H-1B visa holders and face significant financial barriers under the new fee structure that could limit their ability to work in the United States
US President Donald Trump signed a new executive order Friday, September 19, imposing a $100,000 annual application fee for all H-1B visa petitions. The H-1B fee represents a major change to program operations and affects thousands of skilled foreign workers, particularly Indians who comprise the largest share of H-1B visa holders.The new H-1B visa fee applies to both new applications and supplemental petitions under the executive order. The annual H-1B fee structure marks a significant departure from previous visa costs.Under the executive order, H-1B visa applicants must pay the $100,000 fee annually for application processing. The H-1B fee rule covers new applications and any petitions supplementing existing ones.Also read: US corporate immigration strained by policy hurdles and enforcement pressuresEmployers must maintain proof of H-1B fee payment while the Secretary of State confirms payment verification during visa processing. Missing payments result in petition rejection by the Department of State or Department of Homeland Security.Live EventsThe H-1B fee requirement extends to applicants from outside the US. Applications lacking required payment face denial unless rare national interest exceptions apply.Indian workers face disproportionate H-1B fee impactThe new H-1B visa fee affects Indian workers most severely as they represent the majority of visa holders. Indians comprised 71 per cent of all approved H-1B applications in recent years, followed by China, according to USCIS data.Two primary groups of Indians benefit from H-1B programs: professionals working for major US-based IT companies and Indian students graduating from US universities with Master’s or PhD degrees who apply for H-1B visas.Most Indian H-1B visa holders work in STEM fields, with approximately 65 per cent employed in computer-related jobs according to a BBC report from 2023. The median salary for H-1B holders reaches around $118,000 annually.Financial barriers challenge mid-level and entry-level professionalsThe $100,000 H-1B fee creates affordability challenges for mid-level professionals, entry-level employees, and recent graduates given average salary levels. The substantial H-1B visa cost relative to median earnings may restrict access for emerging professionals.Indian students and recent graduates face particular difficulties affording the annual H-1B fee while establishing careers. The fee structure may limit job prospects and increase financial pressure on new professionals seeking US employment.Also read: Trump to impose new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas in sweeping overhaulAdministration cites program abuse and American worker protectionThe Trump administration states the H-1B fee rule prevents program abuse and protects American jobs. According to the executive order, some US workers face replacement by cheaper foreign labor, particularly in technology sectors.Officials argue the high H-1B visa fee limits unnecessary applications and forces companies to hire foreign workers only when genuinely needed. The administration positions the fee as a deterrent against program exploitation.Critics suggest the H-1B fee may negatively impact the US economy, especially industries depending heavily on global talent from India and China.H-1B program changes affect 85,000 annual visasThe US issues 85,000 H-1B visas annually through lottery systems. The new H-1B fee rule may cause existing and future visa holders to struggle with annual costs, potentially losing job opportunities if employers decline payment.Workers unable to meet the H-1B fee requirement may face forced departure from the US. The financial barrier could reduce employer participation in the visa program.For Indian students and graduates, the H-1B fee changes may result in fewer job prospects and limited opportunities to remain in the US after completing studies.Long-term career path implications for H-1B holdersAlthough H-1B visas remain temporary with six-year validity, many holders use them as pathways to permanent residency green cards. The new H-1B fee could slow or block this progression, particularly for early-career professionals.Also read: Indian IT cuts H-1B reliance to get the jobs done in USThe substantial annual H-1B visa cost may force career decisions based on financial capacity rather than professional qualifications or employer needs. The fee structure represents a significant barrier to the traditional H-1B to green card pathway.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
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