India, Sept. 20 -- The United States has enacted a sweeping change to its H-1B visa regime under President Donald Trump. In a proclamation signed on 19 September 2025, an annual fee of USD 100,000 must now accompany each H-1B petition for companies sponsoring foreign workers. This requirement applies to new petitions and those filed from outside the United States.

Industry insiders warn that this steep fee, payable every year an H-1B worker remains employed in the US, could sharply reduce entry-level opportunities for international graduates. Smaller companies are likely to be hit hardest, while only large technology firms may be able to absorb such added costs.

Indian nationals are particularly exposed. As of FY 2024, around 71% of H-1...