New Visa Policy Aims to Curb Immigration and Prioritize Highly Skilled Foreign Talent
Key Highlights
- $100,000 (₹88 lakh+) fee imposed on H-1B visa applicants
- Targeted at ensuring only “highly skilled” professionals are hired
- Potentially severe impact on Indian IT professionals and tech companies
- New ‘Gold Card’ visa program launched with fees up to $2 million
- Stricter US citizenship test reintroduced
What Is the H-1B Visa?
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant work visa that allows US companies to employ foreign professionals in specialty occupations, especially in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Key Features:
- Introduced in 1990
- Valid for 3 years, extendable to 6 years
- Requires at least a bachelor’s degree
- Candidates apply via USCIS lottery system
- Ensures equal pay and working conditions as American workers
What Does the New $100,000 Fee Mean?
In a controversial move, former US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on companies sponsoring H-1B visa applicants.
“We need great workers, and this ensures that’s what we’re going to get,” Trump stated.
New Fee Structure:
- $100,000 per H-1B visa application
- Aimed at discouraging abuse of the visa system
- Adds a significant financial burden on sponsoring companies
According to White House staff secretary Will Scharf, the H-1B program is “one of the most abused visa systems” and the new fee is designed to ensure only the most qualified individuals are brought into the workforce.
Impact on Indian Professionals
India has consistently been the largest beneficiary of H-1B visas. According to recent data:
- 71% of H-1B visas were issued to Indians in the previous year
- China followed with only 11.7%
Major Tech Companies Affected:
- Amazon & AWS: Over 12,000 H-1B approvals in H1 2025
- Microsoft & Meta: Each received 5,000+ H-1B visa approvals
Concerns for Indian Applicants:
- New fees could discourage companies from hiring Indian talent
- Visa renewals will become extremely costly (₹88 lakh+ each time)
- Green Card delays force applicants to extend visas multiple times
Stricter Citizenship Test Returns
The Trump administration is also bringing back a more difficult US citizenship test, previously scrapped by President Biden.
Test Details:
- 128 questions on US history and civics
- Applicants must orally answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly
rump Introduces ‘Gold Card’ Visa for Elite Immigrants
Trump also unveiled a premium ‘Gold Card’ visa program:
Gold Card Visa Fees:
- $1 million for individuals
- $2 million for businesses
“This will bring in extraordinary people who will create jobs for Americans,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Criticism of Current Green Card System:
- Welcomes low-income workers earning $66,000/year
- “Five times more likely to go on government assistance”
- Described as “illogical” and targeting the “bottom quartile”
What This Means for Future Applicants
This drastic shift in US immigration policy is set to:
- Shrink access to skilled visa programs like H-1B
- Prioritize ultra-high-net-worth individuals and elite talent
- Create new financial barriers for foreign workers, especially from India
Trump’s new immigration policies are poised to redefine how foreign professionals, especially Indians, access work opportunities in the US. With exorbitant fees and a narrowed entry path, this could lead to a reduction in skilled tech immigration, impacting both individual aspirations and the global competitiveness of American companies.
