New Delhi [India]October 22 (ANI): The Trump administration’s decision to reduce the controversial USD 100,000 H-1B visa fee has come as a relief to thousands of Indian professionals and students already in the United States, but the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) has warned that new restrictions on entry of foreign students could weaken the long-term flow of talent to the US.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) clarified on October 21 that existing visa holders and students already in the US will not have to pay the hefty fee of US$100,000 announced earlier on September 19.
The relaxations include students switching from F-1 to H-1B status and professionals switching from intra-company L-1 visa to H-1B, providing relief to a large section of Indian expatriates.
“This ensures continuity for thousands of Indian students and skilled professionals in the US, who can now go on work visas without incurring excessive costs or leaving the country,” the GTRI report said.
Indians, who constitute about 70 percent of all H-1B visa holders and 27 percent of international students at US universities, will benefit most from the waiver.
The revised rule also protects existing H-1B workers from retroactive fees and allows the Department of Homeland Security to waive costs in cases of national interest.
However, this relief coincides with a new limit imposed on foreign student admissions to only 15 percent of total university admissions, and a maximum of 5 percent from any one country.
“Parallel to Trump’s cap on foreign students, only 15 percent of the total students can be from abroad, and no more than 5 percent can be from a single country, making it harder for Indians to study in the US and later get a work visa.” Noted GTRI report.
For India, which sends the largest group of foreign students to the US, this sharply limits the entry routes for future talent.
“Both measures are in opposite directions – one facilitates visa transition for those already in the US, while the other tightens entry for new students,” GTRI warned.
The think tank said frequent policy changes under the Trump administration have created uncertainty for Indian IT firms and professionals planning long-term mobility.
“Instability in US immigration policy has become an even bigger concern than tariffs,” it said.
While the October 21 clarification has stabilized the situation for about 300,000 Indian professionals currently in the US, the combination of the student cap and unexpected rule changes could force India’s aspiring workforce to rethink US education and career paths. (ANI)
