MEA Confirms Talks With US On H-1B Visa Rule Changes Impacting Indian Professionals
India is in active discussions with the United States and relevant stakeholders regarding the Trump administration’s proposal to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized on Friday that the mobility of skilled Indian professionals has long contributed to innovation, economic growth, and competitiveness in both nations.
The new fee, announced last week by US President Donald Trump, is part of measures aimed at curbing alleged misuse of the H-1B programme, which Washington has termed a “national security threat.” The move, expected to significantly affect Indian professionals-who make up nearly 75% of H-1B visa recipients over the past decade-seeks to restrict the entry of non-immigrant workers.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal cited a notification from the US Department of Homeland Security regarding proposed rule changes. He noted that industry and other stakeholders have been given one month to provide comments. He also highlighted that clarifications issued by the US confirmed the $100,000 fee will apply only once for fresh H-1B applications.
“As to how this will ultimately evolve, it remains an ongoing process. We are engaged at multiple levels, including through the Indian embassy in Washington and directly with US authorities,” Jaiswal said at a weekly briefing.
Reiterating India’s stance, Jaiswal stressed the benefits of skilled migration: “Talent mobility has consistently driven innovation, wealth creation, and productivity in both economies. We remain engaged with industry and hope these factors are duly considered in the decision-making process.”
The dramatic fee hike comes amid strains in India-US ties, including Trump’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian goods and a punitive levy over Russian oil imports. More than 70% of H-1B visas approved since 2010 have gone to Indian nationals. The visa programme allows US companies to hire foreign specialists in fields such as technology, engineering, and medicine.
Responding to a query on Washington’s plan to impose 100% tariffs on Indian pharmaceutical products, large trucks, and furniture starting October 1, Jaiswal said relevant departments in New Delhi were reviewing the implications. “As you know, India and the US have been negotiating a bilateral trade agreement over the last few months. These discussions cover all matters of concern,” he explained.
The steep tariff announcement-described as the harshest since April’s reciprocal tariff measures-prompted a decline in shares of Asian pharmaceutical firms with US exposure on Friday.
Jaiswal also recalled that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 22. “The talks centered on trade and tariffs, though other aspects of the bilateral relationship were also discussed,” he added.
On deportations, Jaiswal confirmed that the US repatriated 2,417 Indian nationals between January 20 and September 25 this year. The issue resurfaced recently after the deportation of 73-year-old Harjit Kaur, who had lived in the US for three decades.
