In a bold move targeting U.S. immigration policies, President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 (over Rs 88 lakh) fee on H-1B visa applicants. The decision is expected to have major implications for the technology sector, which relies heavily on skilled workers from India, China, and other countries.
The administration maintains that the hike aims to ensure only the most highly skilled professionals are brought into the U.S., while safeguarding American jobs. “We need workers. We need great workers, and this pretty much ensures that that's what's going to happen,” Trump stated.
White House staff secretary Will Scharf added that the H-1B visa program has long been “one of the most abused” in the U.S. immigration system. “Raising the sponsorship fee to $100,000 will make sure companies bring in workers who are genuinely highly skilled and not easily replaceable by American employees,” Scharf said.
Industry experts, however, have warned that the steep fee could deter companies from hiring international talent, potentially creating talent shortages in critical sectors like technology and engineering.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)