What Is H-1B Visa | H-1B Visa Fees Old Vs New | H1B Visa News | What Is H1B Visa, What Is New Fees

New Delhi (GK, General Knowledge)Thousands of Indian youth dream of going to America every year. If someone wants to reach Silicon Valley using his engineering degree, then someone wants to touch the heights of career by being a part of the big tech company. Till now this dream has been turning into reality through H-1B work visa. But recently the US government has taken a shocking step. To get a H-1B visa, companies will now have to pay a huge fee of about $ 100,000.

This expenditure is not just the formality of paper, but is a cause of concern for Indian IT companies, startups and millions of families that connect the future of their children to America. The Government of India has also warned that this change will not only affect the industry, but it can also create a humanitarian crisis. Now the question is whether this path of American dreams will become even more difficult? Before understanding all this, you should know that What is H-1B visa And who has to take it.

What is the American H-1B visa, which will affect the new fees?

Suppose you have received a job offer letter from a multinational company. You are hoping to start a new life in America with the help of H-1B visa. But then news comes that for this visa, the company will now have to pay 1 lakh dollars i.e. about 88 lakh rupees. This change is a major setback for the entire Indian IT sector. From TCS to veteran companies like Infosys and Wipro, everyone will have to change their strategy. For small startups and new professionals, this route can be almost closed.

What is H-1B visa?

The H-1B visa is America’s Non-Emmigrant Work Visa category. It is for specialty occupations like engineering, computer science, medical specialization and technology. For the first time this visa is available for 3 years. Then 3 years forward can be extended- maximum 6 years in total. According to American Immigration Council, the American company has to apply for this. The company presents that this foreign employee has special skills and this will not harm the local employee.

Why is the new change in discussion?

$ 100,000 heavy fees: On 19 September 2025, US President Trump’s government made an announcement. It was found that the company will have to pay around $ 100,000 fees for new applicants of H-1B visa (which is not yet in America or will send new applications).

Who is affected: This new fee will not be applicable to old visa holders. This means that professionals who are already on H-1B or whose visas have already been released or renewed (who are currently living in America).

Purpose (as stated): The US government argues that the H-1B system is being misused. Due to this, local labor jobs are decreasing and dependence on foreign workers is increasing. Through this new fees, they want to stop companies who want to bring only cheap foreign labor to America.

H-1B Visa Fees Old vs New: What has been changed in H-1B fees in the last 10 years?

2010-2015: Additional fees were imposed on large companies, whose employees and H-1B workers were high (Anti-Fraud Fee, ACWIA zodiac etc.).

2015-2023: Various USCIS firms, primary application fee and premium processing fee (extra fees to get the process early) increased from time to time. For example, the premium processing fees were reduced to $ 2,500-$ 2,805 a few years ago.

2025 (September): The biggest change occurred this month in the case of H-1B visa. A huge fee of $ 100,000 was imposed for the new visa application. In this way, the fees have been gradually increasing in the last 10 years, but the new decision is the most impactful.

What will be the effect on Indians/IT companies?

Indian IT companies (TCS, Infosys, Wipro etc.) send their employees to America for work. With the increase in H-1B visa fees, their expenses will also increase manifold. Its effect will be seen the most in the recruitment of new employees and their logistics.
Startups and small enterprise (which are low in budget) will be particularly affected as $ 100,000 fees are heavy burden for them.
Now opportunities in America will be reduced for entry level professionals because companies can give priority to more experienced or special knowledge. Companies can choose people whose efficiency and contribution are more than others.
Effect on families: Workers who get H-1B visas usually take their family along (Dependents). Now if their company will not be able to bear the fee, then their travel, visa renewal, social situations etc. will be affected. The government of India has described it as a humanitarian crisis.

Will this affect students too? Which visa do they go to America?

Indian students studying in America usually take F-1 visa. This is a student visa. F-1 Visa students who want to work in America for some time after finishing their studies, then they have the option of OPT (Optional Practical Training). The duration of opt of students in stem areas may increase. After the OPT is completed, if the company offers a job offer, then they can apply for H-1B work visa. The increase in fees will not apply to F-1 students, unless they apply for H-1B.

The impact of increasing H-1B visa fees will also be seen indirectly on the students. They will get less job proposals, increase expenses and hiring strategy of companies may also change.

Source link