Understanding the H-1B Visa and Its Importance for Indians in the US

What is the H-1B Visa?
The H-1B visa allows U.S. companies to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialized fields requiring advanced knowledge, such as IT, engineering, and science.

Why is H-1B in the news?
On September 19, 2025, President Donald Trump introduced a new rule requiring a $100,000 fee for all new H-1B visa applications starting September 21, 2025. He claimed it aims to curb misuse and protect U.S. workers. This has raised concerns among tech firms and immigrant workers.

Visa Costs and New Rules
Earlier, H-1B processing costs ranged from $900 to $5,000, mostly paid by employers. The new one-time $100,000 fee applies to new applications, including for the 2026 lottery. Current visa holders and renewals aren’t affected.

Importance for Indians
Indians have historically dominated H-1B approvals, especially in IT. However, approvals have declined due to pressure on Indian firms in the U.S. to hire locally. In 2014, 86% of H-1Bs were granted to Indian IT workers; by 2024, this dropped to 19%.

Top Sponsors and Visa Stats
Major sponsors in 2025 included Amazon (10,044 H-1Bs) and TCS (5,505). Other top firms include Google, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, and Infosys. Around 730,000 H-1B holders live in the U.S., over 70% of whom are Indian, along with nearly 500,000 dependents on H-4 visas.

Program Details
The visa is valid for up to three years (extendable to six). Annual caps include 65,000 general and 20,000 master’s degree visas, with some exemptions. Applicants need at least a bachelor’s degree. USCIS runs a lottery system for selection.

Other Key Rules
Applications must be submitted in the applicant’s home country. Those laid off have a 60-day grace period to change status, find new employment, or leave the U.S. Dependents stay on H-4 visas, though a new order challenges birthright citizenship for H-1B children.

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