1/ 🚨 Trump has slapped a $100,000 fee on every new H-1B petition...
Nirmalya Dutta@NonsensicalNemo
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Sep 21, 2025
~1 min read
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1/ 🚨 Trump has slapped a $100,000 fee on every new H-1B petition from outside the US. The order kicks in Sept 21, 2025 — and it could reshape the American immigration system overnight.
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The H-1B visa has long been the pathway for skilled foreign workers, especially Indians, to enter the US tech industry. But now:
Fee: $100,000 per petition
Duration: 12 months (extendable)
Exceptions: Only if deemed in “national interest”
The H-1B visa has long been the pathway for skilled foreign workers, especially Indians, to enter the US tech industry. But now:
Fee: $100,000 per petition
Duration: 12 months (extendable)
Exceptions: Only if deemed in “national interest”
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Why? Trump argues companies are using H-1Bs to replace Americans with cheaper foreign labour. He cites:
36% lower pay for H-1B entry-level hires
IT share in H-1Bs: 32% (2003) → 65%+ (recent years)
Layoffs + simultaneous H-1B hiring
Why? Trump argues companies are using H-1Bs to replace Americans with cheaper foreign labour. He cites:
36% lower pay for H-1B entry-level hires
IT share in H-1Bs: 32% (2003) → 65%+ (recent years)
Layoffs + simultaneous H-1B hiring
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The numbers are staggering:
85,000 annual H-1B cap
70% go to Indians
1.8M people stuck in the employment-based green card backlog
Of these, 1.1M are Indians (≈63%)
The numbers are staggering:
85,000 annual H-1B cap
70% go to Indians
1.8M people stuck in the employment-based green card backlog
Of these, 1.1M are Indians (≈63%)
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The bottom line:
For foreign workers — especially Indians — the “American Dream” just got a lot pricier. Only the “best of the best” in high-paid, specialised roles may still make it through. For everyone else, the backlog line keeps growing.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/in-nu…
The bottom line:
For foreign workers — especially Indians — the “American Dream” just got a lot pricier. Only the “best of the best” in high-paid, specialised roles may still make it through. For everyone else, the backlog line keeps growing.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/in-nu…
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Clarification 📝
US officials say the $100,000 fee applies only to new H-1B applicants. Current visa holders don’t need to rush back or pay the fee when travelling — the rule targets fresh petitions filed after Sept 21.
US officials say the $100,000 fee applies only to new H-1B applicants. Current visa holders don’t need to rush back or pay the fee when travelling — the rule targets fresh petitions filed after Sept 21.