Trump’s $100,000 annual H-1B visa fee overhaul could reshape US tech job market

The United States has enacted a sweeping change to its H-1B visa regime under President Donald Trump. In a proclamation signed on 19 September 2025, an annual fee of USD 100,000 must now accompany each H-1B petition for companies sponsoring foreign workers. This requirement applies to new petitions and those filed from outside the United States.

Indian tech workers face the greatest impact

Industry insiders warn that this steep fee, payable every year an H-1B worker remains employed in the US, could sharply reduce entry-level opportunities for international graduates. Smaller companies are likely to be hit hardest, while only large technology firms may be able to absorb such added costs.

Indian nationals are particularly exposed. As of FY 2024, around 71% of H-1B approvals were for people born in India, with China accounting for about 12%. Data from the previous year similarly showed Indian professionals receiving more than 70% of all H-1B visas issued.

Some commentary has already emerged from India. Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant has warned that the measure could pose “a serious threat to American innovation” and may accelerate a reverse brain drain, strengthening India’s own technology ecosystem. He remarked, “America’s loss is going to be India’s gain.”

Questions remain about how broadly the policy will apply and whether exemptions might be granted. The proclamation does allow case-by-case waivers if a petition is considered in the national interest.

For many Indian graduates and tech professionals, this is more than just a policy shift. It may mark a turning point in global migration trends. The cost of accessing US opportunities has just shot up.

CP Gurnani, Co-Founder & Vice Chairman, AIonOS (JV between InterGlobe Enterprises & Assago Ventures), paints a more optimistic picture: “Over the past several years, Indian IT firms have significantly reduced their reliance on the H-1B visa, with filings dropping by over 50%. This shift is a result of our ongoing strategy to hire more locally, invest in automation, and enhance our global delivery models. While visa fees may change, the impact on our business will be minimal, as we’ve already adapted to this evolving landscape.”

This is a developing story, with more industry feedback and implications expected in the weeks ahead.