Many expressed relief if students already in the US are exempt, while others fear confusion for those needing visa stamping abroad.
This weekend is proving to be far from leisurely for the Indian diaspora, as many are staying late on Friday night to discuss US President Donald Trump’s order increasing the H-1B visa fee to $100,000.
The new order has sent shockwaves through the Indian diaspora in the United States, triggering animated discussions. The arguments are wide-ranging, from throwing light on the likely implications for the existing H1B visa holders and their family members to the widespread abuse of the visa. Some even quickly come out with different scenarios, explaining to the H1B visa holders how the new order could impact their work.
Questions on eligibility and extensions
Many in the community expressed confusion about who the steep fee applies to and raised questions. They include – Will an Indian software engineer in Hyderabad, whose petition is filed by a US employer, have to pay the fee? Is an F-1 student already in the US who applies for a change of status to H-1B subject to the fee? Do current H-1B employees in the US who are filing for extensions or transferring to a new employer need to pay?
Mixed reactions from NRIs
“If this order does not affect F1 students who are already studying in the US, then it is a big relief for the students since most of them came to the US with a loan or debt,” an NRI said, taking part in a discussion on the news development.
“Do current H-1B employees in the U.S. filing for extensions or transferring to a new employer need to pay,” another Indian worker asked, seeking answers from the members of a WhatsApp group.
Another question that popped up was – what happens if a worker, whose extension was filed while they were in the US, travels abroad and needs visa stamping?
Ramesh Ch (name changed), offering a perspective in Telugu, voiced support for the decision, attributing it to the high unemployment rate in the US and the quality of recent immigrants. “Seeing the 90% junk (H1B & students) that came to the USA in the last 5 years and to reduce the unemployment rate in America, the decision Trump took is correct from the perspective of the USA),” he said on his social media account.
He, however, felt that the US should have stopped issuing H1B visas for a year or two instead of creating so much confusion in its implementation.
Another NRI felt that this could lead to an increase in opportunities in the outsourcing space, as it would be cheaper to get things done elsewhere.
Raising serious concerns about the integrity of the recruitment process, he found fault with proxy interviews and a perceived lack of fundamental skills among some graduates regarding the state of affairs.
Another NRI blamed the Biden administration for its open-door immigration policy; Trump would never have been elected.
Published on September 20, 2025
