India is actively engaging with the United States and key stakeholders to address concerns over the Trump administration’s recent decision to impose a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday that it remains in dialogue with US authorities and hopes Indian talent mobility will be fairly considered in the final decision-making process.
Speaking at a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that discussions are ongoing with various levels of the US Government, the Indian embassy in Washington, and the business sector. He emphasised that the movement of skilled Indian professionals benefits both economies.
“We want to remain engaged with all concerned, including the industry, and we hope that these factors will receive due consideration,” Randhir Jaiswal said.
The controversial fee, announced last week by US President Donald Trump, is part of a broader policy to curb what the administration calls abuse of the H-1B visa program and protect American jobs. Indian nationals, who have historically received over 70 percent of all H-1B visas, are expected to be the most affected.
The US Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that the $100,000 fee applies only to new petitions, not renewals or extensions. Petitions filed before September 21, 2025, are not affected.
Several US medical associations, led by the American Medical Association, have urged the Government to exempt international doctors from the fee, citing healthcare concerns. India’s finance ministry has warned that the fee could disrupt services exports and remittances if not addressed through diplomatic channels. Indian IT stocks have reacted negatively to the announcement. Major firms like Infosys, TCS, and Wipro saw share prices drop as concerns grow over increased costs and potential loss of business.
India is using a multi-pronged approach, Diplomatic discussions with US counterparts through the embassy in Washington and high-level meetings, including on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Coordinating responses across ministries, including commerce and economic affairs, to analyse the long-term impact. Leveraging ongoing bilateral trade talks to push for reconsideration or exemption of the fee for certain sectors. Highlighting the potential humanitarian and economic disruptions this policy could create. “We believe that Indian talent has contributed immensely to the US economy in fields like technology, healthcare, and academia,” Jaiswal said.
The US Government has opened a 30-day public comment period for feedback on the proposed rule. India is expected to formally submit its concerns during this time, along with inputs from industry groups, professional bodies, and diaspora organisations.
There is also speculation that the proposed fee could face legal challenges within the US, especially from businesses and medical institutions that rely on foreign talent.
While the outcome of the rule is yet to be determined, India is pushing for a balanced approach that maintains strong economic, and people-to-people ties. The MEA reiterated its commitment to legal migration pathways and emphasised that skilled professionals play a vital role in US-India relations.
Meanwhile, concerns remain over potential ripple effects across industries, especially in IT, healthcare, and research sectors.