New H-1B Rules: Who Must Be Worried? Who Need Not?
This is going to directly affect several of Indians working in the United States and here’s a look into the story.;
The President of United States, Donald Trump has imposed new regulation with regard to the H1B visa policy. This is going to directly affect several of Indians working in the United States and here’s a look into the story.
The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, has introduced a new $100,000 fee on certain H-1B visa applications, significantly affecting many applicants, particularly from India, which contributes the largest number of H-1B workers. This move adds a substantial financial burden for those seeking new approvals or traveling abroad for stamping.
Who is affected: Fresh H-1B applicants applying from outside the U.S. must pay the fee. Workers whose H-1B visas have expired and require a new petition while traveling abroad are also impacted.
Students switching from OPT to H-1B and going abroad for visa stamping, as well as individuals pursuing a green card via consular processing outside the U.S., are similarly required to pay the $100,000 fee.
Who is not affected: Current H-1B holders working within the U.S. face no additional fee. Job transfers and extensions inside the country remain exempt. Travelers with a valid H-1B stamp or students changing status from OPT to H-1B without leaving the U.S. are unaffected. Similarly, individuals adjusting their status to a green card (I-485) within the country do not pay the new fee.
This policy is expected to impact Indian IT professionals, students, and large consulting firms heavily reliant on overseas hiring. Companies may now reconsider their global recruitment strategies due to this added financial burden, potentially slowing the flow of talent into the U.S. while creating uncertainty for fresh H-1B applicants.