By Arpita Ghosh

Copyright timesnownews

For decades, the H-1B visa has been the gateway for skilled Indian workers to land jobs in America’s thriving information technology (I-T) sector. It represented not just a work permit, but the promise of the “American dream” – a century-old phrase used to describe the idea that anyone can achieve success in the United States through hard work and determination. But, with the new Trump administration announcing a steep USD 100K fee for new H-1B petitions, panic and fear spread across Indian tech circles. For many, the dream now feels out of reach. Under US law, the H-1B programme allows for 65,000 visas each year, with an additional 20,000 set aside for applicants who hold master’s or higher degrees from American institutions. Currently, H-1B application fees range between USD 2,000 and USD 5,000, depending on employer size and related costs. Each visa is valid for three years and can be extended once for another three years, making the programme especially popular among Indian technology professionals. What Is the New H-1B Visa Rule? In a sudden move, President Trump signed a proclamation on September 20, imposing a USD 100,000 fee on H-1B non-immigrant visas. The proclamation ‘Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers’ takes effect from 12:01 am EDT on September 21, 2025. As soon as the news was out, panic gripped. Immigration lawyers warned families to rush back to the US before the deadline to avoid being stranded. There were also reports of Indian professionals who were heading home for festivities disembarking from aircraft at the San Francisco International Airport after hearing the news. Indians make up 71 per cent of all approved H-1B applications in recent years, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data. The sudden change has therefore triggered shockwaves in both India and America’s technology corridors. China residents come a distant second, standing at the 12-13% mark since 2018. $100K Fee Only for New H-1B Petitions, Clarifies Trump Admin Amid widespread panic, the USCIS clarified that the new fee applies only to new petitions that have not yet been filed. H-1B petitions submitted before the effective proclamation date of September 21 are not affected. Those visa holders currently outside the US also do not need to pay the fee for re-entering the country, it said. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt further clarified on X and wrote, “To be clear, the USD 100,000 is not an annual but a one-time fee that applies only to the petition. Those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently outside of the country will not be charged USD 100,000 to re-enter.” Why the Fee Was Introduced Trump has long criticised the H-1B programme, calling it a “national security threat” and alleging abuse by outsourcing companies. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said, “We’re going to only take extraordinary people at the very top, instead of those trying to take jobs from Americans. They’re going to create businesses and create jobs for Americans. And this programme will raise more than USD 100 billion for the treasury of the United States.” Also Read: H-1B Visa News: Trump’s $100,000 Fee Explained and What It Means for H-1B Applicants in 2025 Impact on Indian Tech Workers and Families The announcement sent shockwaves through Indian IT professionals. Nasscom, India’s IT industry body, said, “The US move will impact India’s technology services companies as business continuity will be disrupted for onshore projects that may require adjustments.” The Indian apex body also flagged concerns over the September 21 timeline for implementation, saying a one-day deadline creates considerable uncertainty for businesses, professionals, and students across the world. India also expressed concern. “Skilled talent mobility and exchanges have contributed enormously to technology development, innovation, economic growth, competitiveness and wealth creation in the United States and India. Policy makers will therefore assess recent steps taking into account mutual benefits, which include strong people-to-people ties between the two countries,” the MEA said in a statement. “This measure is likely to have humanitarian consequences by way of the disruption caused for families. Government hopes that these disruptions can be addressed suitably by the US authorities,” it added. Ajay Bhutoria, a former advisor to President Joe Biden and Asian-American community leader on immigration policy, warned of a potential crisis for the US technology sector’s competitive edge with Trump’s decision on the H-1B visa fee. “The H-1B programme, a lifeline for innovation that has attracted top talent from around the world, faces unprecedented barriers with this massive jump from the current USD 2,000-USD 5,000 total fee, which will crush small businesses and startups reliant on diverse talent,” he said, as quoted by PTI. Also Read: H-1B Visa Fee Hike Starts Today: Who Pays $100K, Who’s Exempt & What It Means for Families | Top Points How Indians Have Benefited from the H-1B Visa Indians are by far the biggest beneficiaries of the programme. Between October 2022 and September 2023, 72 percent of nearly 400,000 visas issued went to Indian nationals. Top Indian IT majors like Infosys, TCS, HCL, and Wipro alone got approval for about 20,000 employees in that period, as per USCIS data. Amazon led with 10,044 approved visas and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is the second-highest beneficiary with 5,505 approved H-1B visas in 2025 as per USCIS data. Other top beneficiaries include Microsoft (5,189), Meta (5,123), Apple (4,202), Google (4,181), Deloitte (2,353), Infosys (2,004), Wipro (1,523) and Tech Mahindra Americas (951). ‘My American Dream Shattered’ Beyond the figures, social media users took to social media to share their angst. One user on Reddit wrote, “My American dream just shattered: $100K H-1B fee ends my tech aspirations. I come from a low-income family. Even saving two to four thousand dollars a month in the US would have changed my life forever. But now that dream feels impossible.” The user added, “The late nights learning code, the sacrifices I made quietly…now it feels like I have nothing. I feel a strange emptiness, like the future I imagined has evaporated while I was working toward it.” Is It Really the End of the American Dream? Some remain hopeful. Entrepreneur and Snapdeal co-founder Kunal Bahl recalled his own setback and in a post on X wrote, “In 2007, sitting at my desk in Microsoft I got an email that my H1B visa was rejected. It was crushing and numbing at that moment, but life-changing eventually when I moved back to India. To those impacted today, be positive. There is something much bigger & better in store for you.” For all the latest news and india news, visit Times Now to get live updates and breaking news around the world.