India has strongly criticized a new US decision to impose a $100,000 (£74,000) fee on applicants for H-1B skilled worker visas, warning it will have serious “humanitarian consequences.”
The new fee, announced by US President Donald Trump on Friday, is more than 60 times the current cost and will take effect on 21 September.
Indian workers are the largest group using the H-1B program, accounting for just over 70% of all visas issued.
Some major US tech companies have reportedly advised employees holding H-1B visas to remain in the country or return quickly if abroad. The White House later clarified that the new fee will not apply to existing visa holders or those seeking renewals.
In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the sharp rise in cost would disrupt families and urged the US to address these issues. It emphasized that the exchange of skilled professionals has “contributed enormously” to both nations and that policymakers should consider the mutual benefits and strong people-to-people ties before implementing such changes.
The Indian government has not indicated what actions it might take in response.
Tensions between the US and India have been high since Washington imposed tariffs on India last month over its purchase of Russian oil. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to visit Washington on Monday for trade talks, according to Reuters.
India’s largest IT trade body, Nasscom, said the sudden announcement has created “considerable uncertainty for businesses, professionals, and students worldwide.”
The White House defended the move, arguing that H-1B visas are sometimes abused to undercut American wages and outsource jobs, but said exemptions could be made “on a case-by-case basis if in the national interest.”
According to Pew Research Center, nearly 400,000 H-1B visas were approved in 2024, including around 260,000 renewals. Data from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) shows that Amazon received the highest number of approvals in early 2025 (10,044), followed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) with 5,505.
Amazon, Microsoft, and JP Morgan have all urged their H-1B employees to remain in the US, with Amazon warning staff abroad not to attempt re-entry until further guidance if they cannot return before the deadline.
The H-1B visa program allows US companies to hire foreign workers with highly specialized skills for temporary positions.
