US Chamber voices concerns over H-1B fee hike “Looking into implications, best path forward”

By Anjali Sharma

WASHINGTON – US Chamber of Commerce on Sunday has voiced concern over the Trump Administration’s new H-1B visa fee hike, emphasized the need to “work with the Administration and members to understand the full implications and the best path forward.”

The Executive Order issued by the Trump Administration, increasing the fee of H-1B visa to USD100,000 for new applicants has raised concerns about its effects on employees, their families, and sponsoring employers.

The Chamber said in a statement that “We’re concerned about the impact on employees, their families, and employers. We’re working with the Administration and our members to understand the full implications and the best path forward”.

Trump signed an Executive Order raising the fee for companies sponsoring H-1B applicants to USD 100,000.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services clarified that the fee will only apply to new applications filed after September 21, and not to petitions already submitted.

USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow said in a memorandum “This proclamation only applies prospectively to petitions that have not yet been filed. The proclamation does not apply to aliens who are beneficiaries of petitions filed prior to the effective date, currently approved petitions, or those in possession of validly issued H-1B visas”.

House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the fee is a one-time charge, not an annual levy. “To be clear: This is NOT an annual fee. It applies only to new petitions, not renewals or current visa holders,” she said in a post on X.

Leavitt also noted that the fee will not affect H-1B visa holders currently outside the US. “Those who already hold H-1B visas and are abroad will NOT be charged $100,000 to re-enter. H-1B visa holders can continue to leave and re-enter the country as usual,” she added.

The increased fee is set to take effect in the next H-1B lottery cycle. With 71–72% of H-1B visas going to Indian nationals, the move has raised concerns about its impact on Indian tech professionals and remittances.

Indian government has instructed its missions and posts to provide all possible assistance to Indian nationals traveling to the US in the coming 24 hours.

The Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said “The industry in both India and the US has a stake in innovation and creativity and can be expected to consult on the best path forward. The Government has seen reports related to the proposed restrictions on the US H-1B visa program. The full implications of the measure are being studied by all concerned, including Indian industry, which has already issued an initial analysis clarifying some perceptions related to the H-1B program.”