Washington – United States President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 annual fee on companies seeking H-1B visas for foreign workers. The policy requires firms to pay the amount for each H-1B worker every year, sparking widespread concern, particularly in India’s technology sector.
Indians form nearly 70 percent of H-1B visa holders, most of them employed in the IT industry. Experts say the new cost will discourage American companies from hiring Indian professionals, potentially reducing opportunities for thousands of engineers and programmers who rely on the program.
A White House statement said the move was aimed at preventing “the deliberate exploitation of the H-1B system” by firms that, according to the administration, replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. It noted that the share of IT workers in the H-1B program had risen from 32 percent in 2003 to more than 65 percent in recent years.
The decision has drawn sharp reactions online. Some users described it as “economic warfare” against India, warning that it would weaken the country’s global tech influence. Others stressed that the measure would harm both Indian professionals and US companies that depend on highly skilled engineers.
India’s IT sector, which has long depended on the H-1B pathway to the US, is now expected to face major uncertainty. Observers say the new fee could force companies to reconsider their hiring strategies and push Indian talent to explore opportunities outside the United States.
