In yet another blow to Indian professionals eyeing opportunities in the United States, President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation slapping a $100,000 (over ₹88 lakh) fee on H-1B visas. The move is being pitched as a way to ensure only “highly skilled” workers enter the US workforce.
For India, the announcement lands like a thud — despite years of photo-ops, chants of “Abki Baar Trump Sarkar”, and the much-advertised camaraderie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the former US President. “MAGA + MIGA = MEGA” may have made catchy slogans, but on the ground, the numbers now speak louder than the hugs.
What the Trump order says
Trump’s team calls the H-1B program “the most abused visa category.” By hiking sponsorship costs to $100,000, the White House claims it is ensuring foreign recruits won’t replace American workers. “We need great workers, and this ensures that’s what will happen,” Trump said while signing the order.
The administration is also reviving stricter citizenship tests — requiring applicants to study 128 questions on US history and politics — a measure previously rolled out in 2020 and later scrapped by Joe Biden.
And for those with deeper pockets, Trump has announced a “Gold Card” visa: $1 million for individuals and $2 million for businesses. According to his Commerce Secretary, this is meant to attract only “extraordinary” people at the very top.
Why India feels the heat
Indians form the backbone of H-1B visa approvals — last year, 71% of all visas went to India, with China trailing at just 11.7%. Tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta collectively received tens of thousands of visas in early 2025 alone, heavily reliant on Indian engineers.
Now, with each renewal costing nearly ₹88 lakh, the burden is crushing. Green Card pathways exist, but wait times stretch into decades, leaving applicants stuck in a costly cycle of renewals.
The economic math looks grim: while Indian professionals earn well above global averages, the Trump administration argues they still represent the “bottom quartile” compared to Americans — an argument many see as less economics, more politics.
Modi’s “personal rapport” — where did it go?
Back home, the development raises an uncomfortable question: what happened to the much-publicised “Howdy Modi” rallies, the laser-show hugs, and the “best friend” declarations? Despite the fanfare, New Delhi’s diplomats find themselves with little to show.
For all the handshake diplomacy, the outcome is clear — India’s tech workforce is left with higher bills, longer waits, and fewer assurances. As for the “Abki Baar Trump Sarkar” slogan echoed once upon a time, it now rings hollow in the offices of countless Indian engineers calculating their next visa renewal costs.