The recent proc lamation by US President Donald Trump imposing a one-time $100,000 fee on all new H-1B visa applica tions has sent shockwaves through Goa’s aspiring tech professionals and students, many of whom have long viewed America as the ultimate destination for career advancement in the IT industry. The steep fee which came into effect on Sep tember 21, 2025 repre sents a dramatic departure from the earlier applica tion costs of around $2,000 to $5,000. It effectively places the dream of work ing in the US out of reach for most middle-class fam ilies in Goa, where average incomes make such an up front cost nearly impossi ble to bear. For many young Goans studying engineering and computer science, espe cially in colleges like Goa Engineering College or Don Bosco College of Engineer ing, the H-1B visa has long symbolised a gateway to cutting-edge global expe rience, exposure to inter national tech ecosystems, and financial upliftment. Speaking on the issue, Lucas Menezes, a Goan IT professional, remarked, “This USD 100k fee will only be one time and not annual.
It won’t impact existing H-1B holders, whether inside the US or outside, and won’t curtail their travel. But for new entrants into the workforce — including children of current H-1B holders — this fee now becomes a massive barrier.” He said, “This shows that President Trump is extreme ly serious about having an anti-immigrant stance. Em ployers will start phasing out non-American employees. For Indian youth, especially from small States like Goa, it makes more sense now to explore job markets in high growth economies like Canada, Germany, or even return home and contribute locally.” In Goa, where the tech industry is still growing and em ployment opportunities remain limited compared to larg er Indian metros, the US has always been seen as a place where talent could flourish without constraint. Many Goan students take on educational loans with the hope of even tually earning in dollars to repay debts and support their families. That path now looks significantly more difficult. Emphasising the policy’s impact on the local talent pool, Sanjay Amonkar, Director General of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), said, “It is bad for the im mediate future. There will be hardly any company which can match the salaries and opportunities US firms offer. Maybe some other countries will absorb this talent, but even there, locals will oppose large influxes.” Striking a hopeful note about long-term prospects, he said, “Goans who return home or are unable to go abroad must be supported. These are talented individuals who, given the right ecosystem, can create jobs, start business es, and build new industries in Goa. The government must now ensure that there’s a flexible and conducive environ ment to harness this brainpower locally.” Chinmay Sanjiv Kamat, Secretary, Goa Technology As sociation (GTA), said, “The steep $100,000 H-1B visa fee could make US job opportunities far less accessible for Goan students. While it may deter many from seeking work abroad, it could also drive top local talent to build careers and startups within India’s growing tech ecosys tem — especially here in Goa, where opportunities in IT and innovation are rapidly expanding.” With the US tightening its borders to skilled migration, Goan IT students and professionals are now reassessing their future plans. Career counsellors in the State have al ready begun reporting a surge in interest for alternative destinations like Canada, Australia, Ireland, and Germany, which offer more accessible immigration pathways and growing tech ecosystems. At the same time, there’s a growing push for strengthen ing Goa’s own startup and tech infrastructure, to provide local opportunities that don’t force talent to go abroad in the first place. However, experts caution that much more investment is needed in terms of incubation support, funding access, skill upgradation, and policy incentives to make that a reality. The $100,000 H-1B visa fee might be a US policy deci sion, but its ripple effects are being felt all the way in Goa — in classrooms, family living rooms, and job placement offices. For many of the State’s brightest minds, it feels like the sudden closing of a door they had long dreamed of walking through. Now, the challenge is twofold: finding new global path ways and building stronger foundations at home
