India reacts to Donald Trump’s Rs 88 lakh H-1B visa fee

The backlash in India has begun following US President Donald Trump’s unprecedented hike in H-1B visa fees, soaring to a staggering $100,000 (approximately ₹88 lakh) annually up from the previous $1,000–$5,000 range. Announced as part of the Administration’s broader crackdown on immigration, this move is set to strike a severe blow to Indian professionals, who have long dominated the H-1B programme with a commanding 71 per cent share, while China holds the second spot at 11 per cent.

The day after Trump signed the proclamation, reactions from industry leaders, IT professionals, and policy experts in India started pouring in, reflecting deep concern over the potential disruption to talent mobility and the US-bound career aspirations of thousands.

India on Saturday said it is examining the implications of the United States’ decision, but stressed that the measure could have “humanitarian consequences”.

“The government has seen reports related to the proposed restrictions on the US H1B visa programme. The full implications of the measure are being studied by all concerned, including by Indian industry, which has already put out an initial analysis clarifying some perceptions related to the H1B programme,” a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said.

“Skilled talent mobility and exchanges have contributed enormously to technology development, innovation, economic growth, competitiveness and wealth creation in the United States and India,” the MEA said, adding, “Policy makers will therefore assess recent steps taking into account mutual benefits, which include strong people-to-people ties between the two countries.”

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Former Diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar has termed Trump’s new visa move as a major setback, both for Indian professionals and the American technology sector. “This is definitely a setback for all H1B holders, not just new applicants but also those already there. They will have to pay $100,000 annually, roughly ₹88 lakhs in India. This is a major setback, especially for Indians freshly graduating from US universities or starting their careers. It will be very difficult for them to get that sort of money. About 71 per cent of H1B visa holders are Indian professionals… It’s also a big setback for the American high-tech industry, which employs many Indian professionals. Without them, it will be very difficult for the US to find its own American workers to fill those high-tech jobs and meet high-tech requirements,” Sajjanhar said.

Trump’s USD 100,000 H-1B visa fee is a “reckless attempt to cut America off from high-skilled workers who have long strengthened our workforce, fuelled innovation, and helped build industries that employ millions of Americans,” Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said.

“While other nations race to attract global talent, the United States should strengthen its workforce and modernise our immigration system-not erect barriers that weaken our economy and security,” he said.

Former advisor to president Joe Biden and Asian-American community leader on immigration policy, Ajay Bhutoria, warned of a potential crisis for the US technology sector’s competitive edge with Trump’s new plan to impose the “staggering” H1-B fee, reported the media.

“The 100k fee for H1Bs is a very unfortunate policy with a huge negative impact on business, particularly the software/tech industry, as well as US-educated STEM talent who are already struggling due to the negative impact of AI and tariffs. We need to educate about talent shortages and their negative impact, especially on startups and smaller tech companies, making it difficult for them to innovate and compete,” he said.

The fee which was previously around a thousand dollars is now raised to $100,000, a move that will hit Indian workers the hardest, ANI quoted

Bikram Chabhal, president of the Association of Visa and IELTS Centres (AVIC), told ANI: “Previously, the total fee was $215, plus another $750. Now, it translates to eighty-eight lakh plus in Indian rupees.”

He said: “I believe these companies will have to struggle a lot in the future. If a company has to pay a fee of one lakh dollars every year, then companies won’t be able to afford that much money.”

Chabhal stressed that Indians stand to lose the most after this move. “The biggest disadvantage of this seems to be for Indians, as Indians used to go extensively on this visa… After receiving those visas, they would then obtain green cards and become American citizens. This will impact them significantly,” he noted.

“While we are reviewing the finer details of the order, adjustments of this nature can potentially have ripple effects on America’s innovation ecosystem and the wider job economy,” the apex body said.