Nasscom says $100,000 H-1B visa fee from 2026 will have a limited effect as Indian IT firms invest $1 bn in US upskilling and local hiring, reducing dependence on visas
The potential dent in remittances could put further pressure on the rupee, which has already been among Asia's worst performers
Nasscom further said that with the fee being applicable from 2026 onward, companies have time to further expand skilling programs in the US and enhance local hiring
Indians account for more than 70 per cent of all H-1B visas. A steep $100,000 entry fee, paid by employers, for every worker entering the US under the programme will effectively gut it
All new H-1B visa petitions submitted after September 21, including those for the FY2026 lottery, will require payment of the USD 100,000 fee, as announced by President Donald Trump in a recent proclamation, the US government has said. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in a 'H-1B FAQ' document, released on Sunday, said that the September 19 proclamation took an important, initial, and incremental step to reform the H-1B visa programme to curb abuses and protect American workers. The proclamation "requires a $100,000 payment to accompany any new H-1B visa petitions submitted after 12:01 am eastern daylight time on September 21, 2025," the FAQ document said. This includes applications for the 2026 lottery and any other new H-1B filings beyond that date, it added. USCIS had earlier said in a statement on Saturday that the fee would apply only to new, prospective petitions that had not yet been filed, but had not specified the exact date and time when the rule would t
India's $283 billion IT sector, which generates about 57 per cent of its total revenue from the US, has long gained from American work visa programmes and outsourcing of software and business services
Trump's H-1B visa announcement jolted firms that have long relied on it to bring in global talent, especially in California's tech-heavy economy that relies on trained programmers, analysts, engineers
The Indian IT industry breathed a lot easier on Sunday after the US government clarified that the H-1B visa application fee hike applies only to new applicants and does not affect the existing visa holders or renewals. While some industry experts noted that they foresee no immediate adverse impact over the next 6-12 months as the hike takes effect only in the upcoming application cycle, others cautioned that the delay notwithstanding, there will be a deferred impact requiring eventual reassessment of business strategies by the IT companies, if the rule stays. "For the next six months to one year, there'll be no impact because for last year, they (companies) already filed H-1B petitions and the lottery system will operate. "It's only for a petition filed for now... If you file a new petition, it takes six months to one year for it to come up," former Infosys CFO and industry veteran Mohandas Pai said. He added: "So, there's no worry for the next six months to one year, and after tha
The decision also shows that Mr Trump is becoming more radical with his time in office, not less
Experts say the US visa fee hike will push firms to expand global capability centres in India, but warn GCCs must move beyond delivery roles to create greater value
Indian IT companies, heavy users of H-1B and L-1 visas, face fresh scrutiny as US policy tightens, raising questions on talent mobility and onsite project costs
The sector, which earns about 57% of its total revenue from the U.S. market, has long gained from U.S. work visa programs and the outsourcing of software and business services
Indian officials reached out to US authorities and top H-1B firms after Trump's orders, as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana leaders raised concerns over impact on Telugu IT workers
We're concerned about the impact on employees, their families, and employers, the Chamber said
With 71-72 per cent of H-1B visas going to Indians, the move has sparked concerns about its effects on Indian tech professionals and remittances
Former Infosys CFO and industry veteran Mohandas Pai on Saturday said the US move to impose a steep USD 100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applicants will dampen fresh applications by companies and may accelerate offshoring in coming months. US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation that will impose USD 100,000 annual visa fee for highly skilled workers. The H-1B nonimmigrant visa programme was created to bring temporary workers into the US to perform additive, high-skilled functions, but it has been deliberately exploited to replace, rather than supplement, American workers with lower-paid, lower-skilled labour, Trump said in the proclamation. Dismissing the notion that companies use H-1B visas to send cheap labour to the US, Pai pointed out that the average salary paid by the top 20 H-1B employers exceeds USD 100,000, and criticised what he termed as misplaced "rhetoric carrying on." An IT industry expert who did not wish to be named said that the fresh approvals for Indian
In the email, sent to its employees, Microsoft also asks those who are outside the US and with H1-B and H4 visas to return to the country immediately
Tata Consultancy Services could be among the worst hit by Trump's new visa fee targeting foreign tech workers
US lawmakers and community leaders voiced concern over US President Donald Trump's plan to impose a USD 100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications, calling the move reckless and unfortunate that will have a huge negative impact on the IT industry. Trump's USD 100,000 H-1B visa fee is a reckless attempt to cut America off from high-skilled workers who have long strengthened our workforce, fuelled innovation, and helped build industries that employ millions of Americans, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said. Krishnamoorthi said many H-1B holders ultimately become citizens and launch businesses that create well-paying jobs in the US. "While other nations race to attract global talent, the United States should strengthen its workforce and modernise our immigration systemnot erect barriers that weaken our economy and security, he said. Former advisor to president Joe Biden and Asian-American community leader on immigration policy, Ajay Bhutoria, warned of a potential crisis for the US ...
Trump administration clarified that visa quotas are not changing; the annual limit remains 65,000 regular visas plus 20,000 for advanced degree holders from US universities