H1-B visa price hike: How this will impact Indian engineers, technicians and others who want to work in the US

Indian professionals, especially engineers and other tech workers, who want to work in the US are now facing a very different situation as President Donald Trump signed an order that puts a high annual fee of $100,000 on companies that want to sponsor H-1B visas.

This change in policy is expected to have a big impact on Indian workers because they have always been the largest group to get H-1B visas. Citing government data from last year, news agency Reuters reported that 71% of all people who were approved for H-1B visas were from India, while China was a distant second with just 11.7%. This new policy could impact those who want to work in the US because tech companies will now have to pay a very high fee for non-American workers.

As a result, companies may be less willing to sponsor H-1B visas, which could lead to fewer approvals. Moreover, those who are on leave and/or are visiting their families in their home countries are also under a looming threat as major technology companies scramble to protect their existing workforce following the announcement. Microsoft, JPMorgan, and Amazon sent urgent internal emails advising H-1B visa holders to remain in the United States or return immediately before the new fee structure takes effect at midnight Saturday (September 20).

“H-1B visa holders who are currently in the US should remain in the US and avoid international travel until the government issues clear travel guidance," read an email sent to JPMorgan employees by Ogletree Deakins, the firm handling the bank's visa applications.

H1-B visa economic reality check for tech companies

The fee increase represents a huge shift from the previous cost structure. Companies previously paid just $995 total—$215 for lottery registration plus $780 for the employer petition form.

The new $100,000 annual fee represents a more than 10,000% increase.For Indian professionals, this change creates a particularly challenging environment. While highly skilled workers with specialised expertise may still find opportunities, those seeking entry-level or junior positions face significantly reduced prospects as companies weigh the substantial financial commitment.

H1-B visa price hike: What it means for Amazon, Microsoft, Google and others

The policy's impact will likely vary dramatically across different segments of Indian professionals.

The most vulnerable may be recent graduates and early-career professionals in routine technical roles may find themselves priced out of the US job market. Startups and smaller companies, traditionally important entry points for Indian talent, may no longer afford the sponsorship costs.Senior engineers, research specialists, and professionals in niche fields with proven track records may still secure sponsorship from companies willing to invest in high-value talent.Notably, companies like Amazon, which leads H-1B approvals with over 12,000 visas in the first half of 2025, along with Microsoft and Meta (each with over 5,000 approvals), now face difficult decisions about their international hiring strategies.