H1B Visa Program, Beneficiaries, Eligibility, and Limits

The H-1B visa has long been the gateway for skilled professionals worldwide—especially Indians—seeking career opportunities in the United States. But with a historic decision by US President Donald Trump on September 20, 2025, the future of foreign workers in America is facing a seismic shift.

Trump has signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 (₹88 lakh+) fee on H-1B visa applicants, a move that could change the course of skilled migration forever.

Trump Slaps $100,000 Fee on H-1B Visas

The Trump administration is positioning the fee hike as a filter to allow only the “most highly skilled professionals” into the US.

The H-1B visa, first introduced in 1990, enables US companies to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields such as IT, engineering, medicine, and scientific research.
India has been the biggest beneficiary, with nearly 71% of all H-1B approvals going to Indian nationals.
Tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta depend heavily on this visa category to recruit Indian talent.

However, the new $100,000 fee per application could devastate Indian professionals, especially those stuck in the Green Card backlog, who must renew their visas every three years. For families, the financial strain could be unbearable, and for US companies, the challenge of talent shortages may intensify.

The Gold Card Program

Alongside the H-1B fee hike, Trump has unveiled a new Gold Card Visa:

Cost: $1 million for individuals, $2 million for businesses.
Target: Wealthy migrants and investors.

For middle-class Indian workers, this creates a two-tier system where the American Dream slips further out of reach, making countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia more attractive destinations for skilled migration.

Key Impacts on Indians

Unbearable Renewal Costs
- H-1B visas are issued for 3 years and renewable once.
- Each renewal will now cost ₹88 lakh+, pushing long-term residency out of reach.
Green Card Backlog
- Indians already face decades-long wait times for US Green Cards.
- Now, they will be forced to pay exorbitant renewal fees multiple times.
Job Market Shifts
- US companies may reduce hiring from India due to high sponsorship costs.
- Outsourcing or hiring domestic workers could become the preferred choice.
Impact on Families
- Middle-class Indian aspirants may abandon US plans altogether.
- Families already in the US could face financial stress and job insecurity.

About the H-1B Visa

Purpose: Allows US employers to hire high-skilled foreign workers in specialized occupations.
Established: 1990, to address talent shortages in the American workforce.

Specialized Occupations

Require specific skills and higher education.
Minimum eligibility: Bachelor’s degree or higher in a specialized field.
Common fields: IT, engineering, healthcare, science, and finance.

Eligibility & Limits

Validity: Up to 6 years (initially 3 years + renewal for 3 more).
After 6 years, workers must leave the US or apply for permanent residency (Green Card).
Annual Cap:
- 65,000 visas under the general quota.
- 20,000 additional visas for applicants with advanced US degrees.

Beneficiaries by Country

India: Consistently the top beneficiary, making up 70%+ of all H-1B visas since 2015.
China: Second-largest group, with 12–13% approvals since 2018.

Why Indians Dominate H-1B Applications

Robust Education System – A large pool of highly skilled graduates, particularly in STEM fields.
Economic Opportunities – Higher salaries and career growth compared to India.
IT Industry Presence – US tech companies have a massive Indian workforce.

Conclusion

The H-1B visa program has been a lifeline for thousands of Indian professionals and a critical talent pipeline for US tech companies. However, with Trump’s unprecedented $100,000 fee hike and the introduction of the Gold Card program, the landscape of skilled migration is set to change dramatically.

For Indian aspirants, the American Dream is becoming more expensive than ever, pushing many to reconsider alternatives like Canada, the UK, and Australia, where immigration pathways remain more accessible.