The recent proclamation by United States President Donald Trump imposing a staggering $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications has sent shockwaves through the Indian professional community. This unprecedented move has prompted the Indian Embassy in Washington to issue an emergency helpline for affected Indian nationals.
The embassy announced on Saturday, "Indian nationals seeking emergency assistance may call 1-202-550-9931 (and WhatsApp). This number is for urgent cases only, not routine consular queries," in a statement shared on X.
With Indian citizens accounting for approximately 71% of H-1B visas, the new fee has raised significant concerns about its impact on tech professionals and India’s remittance inflows. In response to the growing unease, a senior US administration official clarified to IANS that the fee is a one-time charge applicable only to new H-1B visa petitions, not renewals or existing holders. “This is a one-time fee that applies only to the petition. It will first apply in the upcoming lottery cycle,” the White House official stated.
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The Indian government has mobilized its Missions and Posts to assist Indian nationals returning to the US within the next 24 hours. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is closely analyzing the implications of the new H-1B visa policy. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed concerns about the broader consequences, stating, “The Government has seen reports related to the proposed restrictions on the US H-1B visa program. The full implications are being studied by all concerned, including by Indian industry.”
Jaiswal further highlighted potential humanitarian challenges, noting that the measure could disrupt families and extend beyond financial impacts. “The step is likely to have humanitarian consequences by way of the disruption caused for families,” he added.
As the Indian industry evaluates the policy’s effects, the new fee structure threatens to reshape the landscape for Indian professionals seeking opportunities in the United States.
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