Now Reading: US proposes over $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas
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US proposes over $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas
The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed a regulation to impose a fee of $103,265 on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. The proposed rule was posted in the…
The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed a regulation to impose a fee of $103,265 on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. The proposed rule was posted in the Federal Register on Monday, starting a 30-day public comment period, and could be finalised by the end of this year.
President Donald Trump first imposed the fee last year via a temporary proclamation, but a federal judge blocked it in June, ruling it an unlawful tax. The Boston-based 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals has also declined to halt that order. The fee is being challenged by the US Chamber of Commerce, Democratic-led states, and a coalition of unions.
Indian nationals, who accounted for 71% of H-1B approvals in fiscal 2024, are expected to be the most affected. The H-1B program offers 65,000 visas annually, with an extra 20,000 for advanced degree holders. The Trump administration says the fee addresses abuse of the program, while business groups argue it is needed to recruit top talent.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The three sources all report the same core facts but differ slightly in emphasis. NDTV leads with the impact on Indians, framing the story as a direct threat to Indian professionals. Hindustan Times provides a balanced account, including the legal history and the 30-day comment period, while The Hindu offers the most detailed legal and political context, including the number of employers who had paid the fee. The Hindu also includes the broader debate over the visa program, quoting both critics and supporters. A reader combining all three gets a complete picture: a controversial fee, blocked in court but now proposed as a permanent regulation, with significant implications for Indian tech workers and US businesses. The 30-day comment period and year-end deadline for finalisation are the key dates to track.
Coverage: 3 sources, 3 neutral
Sources (3): ndtv.com (neutral report), hindustantimes.com (neutral report), thehindu.com (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
