Jasmine Grover Content Strategy Manager
Content Strategy Manager | Updated On - Sep 21, 2025
New Delhi, September 20, 2025 – The US immigration landscape has undergone a seismic shift. US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation requiring companies to pay a $100,000 annual fee (around INR 88 Lakhs) for each H1B visa application. The order, effective September 21, 2025, significantly increases costs for US employers hiring foreign skilled workers. Given that over 70% of H-1B visa holders are Indian, this policy is a wake-up call. The move is expected to impact Indian tech professionals the most. It's no longer just a matter of getting a job offer; now, it's about whether a company is willing to pay a premium for your skills.
Check Out: What is H1 Visa? How is it relevant for International Students?
Key details of Trump’s H-1B visa order
| Feature | Previous Rule | New Rule (2025) |
| Annual H-1B Fee | ~$2,000–$5,000 | $100,000 Annually |
| Investor Visa Fee | $10,000–$20,000 | $1 million (“Gold Card”) |
| Employer Sponsorship | Standard petition | $2 million for Gold Card |
| Cap on H-1B visas | 85,000 per year | Likely to fall (not economic) |
The new fee is more than just a number; it's a new reality you must prepare for.
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Indian Students Face Stricter US Visa Rules Amid Ban on Third-Country Visa ApplicationsWhat is the Trump Gold Card and Platinum Card?
Alongside the H-1B changes, Trump announced new visa categories:
- Gold Card Visa ($1 million): Pathway to US citizenship for wealthy individuals.
- Platinum Card Visa ($5 million): Allows foreigners to stay up to 270 days/year in the US without paying tax on foreign income.
These new categories would replace some existing employment-based visas, including those used by professors, scientists, artists, and athletes.
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All About Studying in USA for International StudentsImpact on Indian tech workers
- Rising costs for employers: Sponsoring Indian professionals will become costlier, discouraging companies from hiring abroad. The $100,000 fee makes you an extremely expensive hire. Employers will no longer be able to use H-1B visas for entry-level or junior roles. Your resume must now prove you're an exceptional, highly-specialized talent that a company can't find domestically.
- Job mobility at risk: The fee applies to new applications and potentially to renewals. This could trap early-career professionals in their current roles, as switching jobs would require a new, costly H-1B petition from a new employer..
- Risk of return migration: Many early-career professionals may be forced to leave the US or seek opportunities in Canada, the UK, or the Middle East.
- Uncertainty: Immigration experts warn of legal challenges, as the proclamation may not hold up in US courts.
What Indian aspirants should do next
- Monitor US visa policy changes closely, as legal challenges may alter the rule.
- Consider alternative destinations like Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Australia, where visa policies remain relatively stable.
- Strengthen applications with high skills and advanced degrees to remain competitive if pursuing US opportunities.
Critics have labelled the $100,000 fee as “unlawful” and “panic-inducing,” while the US Tech Workers group has welcomed the move, calling it the “next best thing” to abolishing H-1B visas. Immigration lawyers, however, warn that the uncertainty surrounding the fee could drive talent away from the United States. Indian professionals have also expressed concern, fearing it may negatively impact their long-term career prospects in America.
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