Trump Slaps $100K Fee on H-1B Visas, Raising Concerns for Indian Tech Workers

In a dramatic move that could reshape the U.S. immigration and technology landscape, President Donald Trump on September 19, 2025, signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visa applicants. The administration claims the move is designed to ensure that only “highly skilled” workers enter the country, without displacing American talent.

The H-1B visa, created in 1990, allows U.S. firms to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields such as IT, engineering, and science. It is initially valid for three years and extendable up to six. Indians, who accounted for 71% of H-1B approvals in 2024, have been the largest beneficiaries of the program, followed by China at 11.7%.

Tech giants including Amazon (12,000 approvals), Microsoft, and Meta (5,000+ each) have been major users of the program. For these firms, the new fee could translate into billions in additional costs, impacting hiring strategies. For individual professionals, the burden is even heavier, especially for those awaiting green cards who must repeatedly renew visas.

White House staff secretary Will Scharf described H-1B as “one of the most abused visa programs” and argued the high fee would guarantee companies only bring in irreplaceable talent. Trump echoed this, saying, “We need great workers, and this ensures that’s what will happen.”

Alongside the fee hike, Trump revived a tougher citizenship test requiring applicants to answer 12 out of 20 questions on U.S. history and politics. He also introduced a “Gold Card” visa, priced at $1 million for individuals and $2 million for businesses, aimed at attracting “extraordinary people” who can create jobs and wealth in America.

For Indian professionals, this marks a serious escalation in barriers to U.S. employment. With wait times for green cards already stretching decades, renewing an H-1B visa multiple times could cost crores of rupees, making U.S. opportunities less viable. Industry analysts warn the move could accelerate India’s “reverse brain drain,” with more talent staying in or returning to India to support its growing tech ecosystem.