‘Humanitarian penalties’: India reacts to US H-1B visa payment hike; maps approach ahead – The Occasions of India


NEW DELHI: The federal government on Saturday expressed severe concern over US President Donald Trump’s transfer to lift the H-1B visa payment to $100,000 yearly, calling it a possible disruption for expert Indian professionals and their households in america.In an official assertion, the spokesperson mentioned the total implications are being studied, noting that Indian business has already put out an preliminary evaluation clarifying some perceptions associated to the H-1B program.“Business in each India and the US has a stake in innovation and creativity and could be anticipated to seek the advice of on the very best path ahead,” the assertion mentioned. It highlighted that expertise mobility has contributed enormously to expertise improvement, innovation, financial development, competitiveness, and wealth creation in each international locations.“Policymakers will subsequently assess current steps considering mutual advantages, which embrace sturdy people-to-people ties between the 2 international locations,” the spokesperson added.The federal government additionally drew consideration to the humanitarian penalties of the proposed restrictions, notably the disruption triggered to households. “We hope these disruptions could be addressed suitably by the US authorities,” the assertion mentioned.Trump indicators proclamation, citing “abuse” of H-1B programTrump on Friday signed the proclamation “Restriction on entry of sure nonimmigrant employees,” claiming the H-1B program had been exploited to switch American employees with lower-paid overseas labor. The brand new payment takes impact from 12:01 am on September 21, 2025, prompting immigration attorneys and corporations to advise H-1B holders or their households presently exterior the US to return instantly or danger being stranded.The payment improve represents a large soar from the present USD 2,000–5,000 vary, sparking considerations over its influence on startups, small companies, and Indian IT professionals. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi referred to as the transfer a “reckless try to chop America off from high-skilled employees who fuelled innovation and helped construct industries using hundreds of thousands of Individuals.”Ajay Bhutoria, former advisor to President Biden, warned that the choice may harm the US expertise sector’s aggressive edge, whereas immigration legal professional Cyrus Mehta famous that H-1B holders presently exterior the US could have already got missed the deadline to return.Impression on Indian IT firms and professionalsIndian IT corporations are among the many largest beneficiaries of H-1B visas. In 2025, Tata Consultancy Providers (TCS) acquired 5,505 approvals, after Amazon with 10,044. Different high recipients embrace Microsoft, Meta, Apple, Google, Infosys, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra Americas. H-1B visas, legitimate for 3 years and renewable for an additional three, are essential for 1000’s of Indian professionals whose firms now face an unprecedented annual payment.

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US officers defend the payment hikeWhite Home workers secretary Will Scharf described H-1B as “some of the abused visa programs,” whereas Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick mentioned this system will now admit solely “extraordinary individuals on the very high,” producing over USD 100 billion for the US Treasury. Trump additionally launched the ‘Gold Card’ program, permitting people or firms to pay USD 1–2 million for expedited visas and a path to Inexperienced Playing cards.Business and social media alertsMicrosoft reportedly issued an inner advisory urging H-1B workers and dependents to keep away from journey overseas and return earlier than the September 21 deadline. Consultants warn the steep payment hike could drive expert professionals away from the US, doubtlessly impacting Silicon Valley and different tech hubs reliant on international expertise.