Impact of US Visa Fee Increase on Indian Skilled Workers

Shalika Sandeep, an Indian professional educated in Singapore and the UK, believes that pursuing study or work in the US is no longer worthwhile due to the country’s unstable political and social environment. She is one of many Indians dissuaded by the recent changes in US immigration policies under the Trump administration, including a sharp increase in H-1B visa fees.

The H-1B visa, a program designed for skilled professionals, especially in tech fields, will soon cost employers a $100,000 application fee. While this policy won’t impact current visa holders, it will take effect with the lottery system opening in March 2026. As a result, many Indian professionals are exploring career options in countries with more stable and welcoming immigration policies.

India, which receives over 70% of H-1B visas annually, is feeling the impact. However, experts like Namratha Dharshan from global tech firm ISG believe Indian companies have adapted through past changes and can manage the current ones. Larger companies are less at risk, while smaller firms relying heavily on H-1Bs may have to rethink strategies.

The rise of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India is providing alternative opportunities. Companies like Amazon, Google, and Goldman Sachs are expanding their operations in India, offering quality jobs. Indian students, such as Gulshan Kumar and Devansh Sharma, feel that countries like the UK, Germany, Japan, and China now offer better prospects than the US.

TV Mohandas Pai, chairman of Aarin Capital, argues that India is no longer dependent on the US and that the fee hike may harm American innovation. As global markets evolve, many Indian workers and companies are shifting focus to more promising regions like Canada, Latin America, and Asia.

H-1B visa, US immigration policy, Indian professionals, Global Capability Centers, skilled workers