By Dimple Singh

Copyright timesnownews

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on Saturday clarified that the newly announced $100,000 fee for H-1B visas is a one-time charge, applying only to new visa applicants in the next lottery cycle. The move will take effect at 12.01 am on Sunday. Current H-1B holders and renewals will not be affected, as officials seek to ensure the change targets only future visa approvals. The announcement, made on Friday by President Donald Trump, is part of a broader overhaul of the H-1B visa system aimed at prioritizing highly skilled foreign workers while discouraging companies from using the program to replace American employees with lower-paid labour. What Are H-1B Visas? H-1B visas are designed to allow US-based employers to temporarily hire highly skilled workers of “distinguished merit and ability” when they cannot find that talent domestically, according to the Labor Department. “President Trump promised to put American workers first, and this commonsense action does just that by discouraging companies from spamming the system and driving down wages,” White House spokesman Taylor Rogers said. “It also gives certainty to American businesses who actually want to bring high-skilled workers to our great country but have been trampled on by abuses of the system,” Rogers added. Impact On Indian Professionals And IT Firms India-born professionals are the largest group benefiting from H-1B visas. Between October 2022 and September 2023, 72 percent of nearly 400,000 H-1B visas went to Indian nationals. Major IT companies like Infosys, TCS, HCL, and Wipro sponsored about 20,000 employees to work in the US during this period. The new fee has sparked concern among visa holders and their families, especially those traveling outside the US, with some rushing to return to avoid being stranded. The Trump administration said the move is intended to prevent companies from replacing American workers with lower-paid foreign labour. Officials said that the foreign share of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) jobs in the US has grown significantly, and H-1B-dependent IT firms have allegedly taken advantage of the system to reduce costs. Gold Card Program Trump had signed a “Gold Card” visa program for foreigners of extraordinary ability. Those who pay $1 million individually or $2 million via corporate sponsorship can access expedited visas and a pathway to a Green Card, aiming to attract top talent while protecting American jobs. Trump said that the new rules ensure only highly skilled and productive workers enter the US “Valuable people only for America. Stop the nonsense,” he said. The administration said the change will also generate revenue for the US Treasury and strengthen the labor market for American citizens. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World.