The Indian government has raised concerns over a new $100,000 (£74,000) fee imposed on applicants seeking US skilled worker visas, warning that the move could have “humanitarian consequences.”
The directive, signed by President Donald Trump on Friday, requires the fee for all new H-1B visa applications starting September 21. The charge is more than 60 times higher than the current $1,500 administrative cost.
Indian nationals account for the largest share of H-1B holders, receiving just over 70% of all visas issued under the programme.
Reports indicate that some US tech companies advised H-1B employees to remain in the country or return immediately if abroad. The White House later clarified that the new fee would not apply to existing visa holders or renewals.
In a statement on Saturday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the change could disrupt families and urged US authorities to address the impact. It noted that the exchange of skilled workers has “contributed enormously” to both economies and underscored the importance of strong people-to-people ties.
The announcement comes amid tense US-India relations following Washington’s decision to impose tariffs on India last month over its purchase of Russian oil. Trade talks are ongoing, with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal set to visit the US on Monday, according to Reuters.
India’s leading tech trade body, Nasscom, also criticised the decision, warning that implementing such a significant change on short notice creates “considerable uncertainty for businesses, professionals, and students worldwide.”
The White House defended the move, claiming the visa system has been misused to undercut American wages and outsource jobs. However, the order allows for “case-by-case exemptions” if deemed in the national interest.
Nearly 400,000 H-1B visas were approved in 2024, with about 260,000 being renewals, according to the Pew Research Center. Data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services shows that in the first half of 2025, Amazon led all employers with 10,044 approvals, followed by India’s Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) with 5,505.
Trump’s proclamation applies only to new applications from workers outside the US. While major firms such as Amazon, Microsoft, and JP Morgan advised staff to remain stateside, the order does not bar re-entry or impose the new fee on current visa holders.
An internal advisory from Amazon, seen by Business Insider, told employees stranded abroad that if they could not return before the deadline, they should avoid attempting re-entry “until further guidance is provided.”
