💥 Trump’s $100K Shock for H-1B Visa Applicants
- MediaFx
- Sep 20
- 2 min read
TL;DR: US President Donald Trump has signed an order that forces companies to pay $100,000 (₹83 lakh) for every new H-1B visa application. This will hit Indians the hardest, since they make up over 72% of all H-1B holders. Starting from September 21, 2025, this move could disrupt the global tech industry, reduce opportunities for Indian engineers, and make the American Dream even more distant.
This is huge news. Trump just announced that any company applying for an H-1B visa will now need to pay a massive $100,000 fee. Until now, the cost was just a few hundred dollars. That’s a jump from lakhs to crores overnight.
Why does this matter?
Indians are the backbone of the H-1B program. In 2022-23, more than 72% of H-1B visas were given to Indians. These visas are crucial for engineers, IT professionals, and skilled workers who dream of working in the US. It’s the entry pass to Silicon Valley and other tech hubs.
But Trump’s team is selling this as part of their “America First” idea. Officials claim foreign workers are lowering wages for US citizens. But the reality is, the US tech industry heavily depends on immigrant talent. Without Indian engineers, many American companies would struggle.
When will it begin?
The new fee kicks in on September 21, 2025 and will stay for 12 months. Each year, around 85,000 H-1B visas are issued. So this policy means billions of dollars extra revenue for the US government.
What’s the bigger picture?
This fee hike isn’t the only move. Recently, Trump has:
Proposed a 4-year cap on student visas.
Started reviewing 55 million visa holders for violations.
Announced a “Gold Card Visa” for permanent residency – but only for those who can pay $1 million.
Talked about deportations using even military aircraft.
So clearly, the message is – if you’re rich, you’re welcome. But if you’re a hardworking student or professional, the path is being blocked.
What does it mean for Indians?
For Indian youth dreaming of jobs in the US, this is a serious roadblock. Indian IT giants like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, and HCL send thousands of employees to the US every year. With such high costs, many companies may cut back, reducing opportunities for freshers.
This could also slow down brain drain. Many skilled workers may now look at other countries like Canada, UK, Australia, or Germany, which have more open visa policies.
From people’s perspective
The US has grown because of immigrant workers. Indians, in particular, have played a massive role in building its tech industry. By putting a price tag so high, this policy basically says money is valued more than talent. That’s unfair.
Instead of shutting doors, governments should focus on ensuring fair wages and decent jobs for everyone – both Americans and immigrants. Ordinary people just want opportunities to work and live with dignity. This kind of policy mainly benefits the ultra-rich who can buy “gold visas”, while middle-class strivers are left outside.
💬 What’s your take? Should India fight back against such unfair visa rules? Share your views below.
