US Announces Drastic Changes to H-1B Visa Program

The Trump administration has announced major changes to the H-1B visa program, which some analysts believe will effectively end it. The most significant change is a new, exorbitant application fee of $100,000. For many, this fee is higher than their annual salary, making it highly unlikely that employers will sponsor new applicants.

H-1B Visa Fee Now Exceeds Most Salaries

The new $100,000 application fee is a dramatic increase from the previous fees, which totaled around $995. According to a 2025 report from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the median wage for a new H-1B visa holder was $97,000. This means the new visa fee is more than a fresh visa holder’s annual salary and more than 80% of the average salary for all H-1B visa holders. The high cost could make it unfeasible for companies to hire foreign workers under the program.

In addition to the H-1B changes, the administration has also introduced a “gold-card” visa scheme, allowing individuals and corporations to obtain U.S. visas for a fee of $1 million and $2 million, respectively.

India to Be Hit Hardest by New Regulations

India is the biggest beneficiary of the H-1B program and stands to lose the most from these new changes. In 2024, Indians received 71% of all approved H-1B visas, far outpacing the second-largest recipient, China, which received only 11.7%. This policy shift could have a significant impact on Indo-U.S. relations, potentially more so than the 50% tariffs previously imposed on Indian exports.