Washington: US President Donald Trump on Friday signed an order imposing an annual fee of USD 100,000 for H-1B visas, a measure that could significantly affect Indian professionals and US companies dependent on foreign talent.
White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf said the H-1B program has been “one of the most abused visa systems” in the country’s immigration framework. The visa is intended to allow highly skilled workers to fill roles in industries facing shortages of American workers.
The Trump administration said the sharp increase is aimed at ensuring only “highly skilled” individuals enter the US job market, while preventing the displacement of American workers. The order, it said, would allow companies to continue hiring “truly extraordinary people” but at a much higher cost.
Under the new rule, employers will have to bear the cost of sponsoring H-1B applicants, raising concerns over higher operational expenses for companies in technology and other industries that rely heavily on skilled foreign workers.
