US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 (over Rs 88 lakh) fee on H-1B visa applicants.

What is the H-1B Visa Program?

• Nature: A non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise (STEM, IT, engineering, finance, architecture).
• Introduced in 1990, to help US employers address skill shortages.
• Visa Duration: Initially 3 years, extendable up to 6 years. After 6 years, visa holders must leave the US for 12 months or apply for permanent residency (Green Card).
• Annual Cap:
  • 65,000 regular H-1B visas.
  • 20,000 reserved for advanced-degree holders from US universities.
  • Exemptions: Higher education institutions, affiliated non-profits, research bodies.
• Lottery System: Applicants are selected through a randomized lottery when applications exceed the cap.
• Indian Dominance: Since 2015, 70–72% of approvals annually go to Indians, followed by China (~12–13%).

Implications for India

• IT Industry: Revenue contraction due to reduced US contracts (~$150 bn IT export sector at risk).
• Skilled Workers: Fewer opportunities for Indian engineers & professionals; possible reverse brain drain.
• Remittances: Decline in inflows from US-based workers.
• Diplomacy: India likely to push mobility agreements in trade talks; possible friction in India–US relations.

Other US Non-Immigrant Visas

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