Washington/New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma)— The White House on Saturday moved to dispel alarm after President Donald Trump signed an order imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that the charge is a one-time levy, applying only to new petitions and not retroactively.
She stressed that existing H-1B visa holders will not be affected, whether they are already in the U.S. or temporarily abroad. “Those already on H-1B visas, including individuals travelling abroad, will not be asked to pay this amount upon re-entry,” Leavitt posted on X, adding that the change will come into force in the next visa lottery cycle.
The clarification brought relief to thousands of professionals, especially Indian nationals who make up nearly three-quarters of H-1B holders in the U.S. IT industry. Early reports of the order had created confusion and fears of disruption to jobs and travel.
In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) directed embassies and consulates to assist citizens travelling to the U.S. within 24 hours. The ministry acknowledged that the steep new fee could carry humanitarian and financial consequences, unsettling families and complicating long-term career plans.
“The government has noted reports regarding proposed restrictions on the U.S. H-1B programme. The full impact is being assessed by stakeholders, including Indian industry, which has already shared initial clarifications,” the MEA said in a statement.
The ministry also underlined that India and the United States share a strong interest in fostering innovation and technology-led growth, stressing that skilled migration has benefitted both economies. It pointed to the importance of talent mobility in driving competitiveness, wealth creation, and deeper people-to-people connections.
“Policy makers will assess recent measures while keeping in mind the mutual benefits of strong talent exchanges between both nations,” the statement added, noting that Indian and American industry groups are expected to hold consultations on the issue.
The H-1B visa programme has been central to the U.S.-India technology partnership, with Indian professionals playing a key role in Silicon Valley and global innovation hubs. The new visa fee marks a significant policy shift, one that both governments are now working to navigate against broader economic and social considerations.
