The Indian government has responded to the Trump administration’s proposed overhaul of the H1-B visa process, which has raised concerns among Indian professionals in the United States.
What’s Changing in the H1-B System
- Fee Hike: President Trump signed a proclamation to increase the H1-B visa application fee to $100,000 for new applicants.
- Lottery Overhaul: The US plans to scrap the random lottery system once the annual cap of 85,000 visas is reached, replacing it with a “weighted selection process”.
- Public Comment Period: The proposed rule is open for 30 days of public feedback before finalization.
India’s Response
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) acknowledged the rulemaking notice and said it is closely monitoring the developments.
- India emphasized that skilled talent mobility has contributed significantly to innovation, economic growth, and technology development in both India and the US.
- The government expressed hope that these factors would be duly considered while finalizing the new rules.
- The Indian Embassy in Washington has also set up an emergency assistance helpline for professionals impacted by the visa changes.
Why It Matters
- Indians account for nearly 71% of all approved H1-B visas, meaning any changes disproportionately affect Indian workers.
- Indian IT firms like TCS, Infosys, and Wipro depend heavily on H1-B workers to service US clients, so the new rules could create financial and manpower challenges.
- The MEA has warned that the fee hike may have humanitarian consequences and could disrupt families.
