The US Chamber of Commerce has voiced concern over the Trump administration’s Executive Order increasing H-1B visa application fees to USD 100,000, warning that the move could affect employees, their families, and employers.
“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,” the Chamber said in a statement on Saturday.
The fee hike, signed into effect by President Donald Trump on Friday, applies only to new applications filed after September 21, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Petitions already submitted, approved, or held by valid H-1B visa holders will remain unaffected.
“This proclamation only applies prospectively to petitions that have not yet been filed,” USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow clarified in a memorandum.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt further stressed that the new charge is a one-time petition fee, not an annual levy. “This applies only to new visas, not renewals, and not current visa holders,” she said in a post on X.
Leavitt also confirmed that existing H-1B holders outside the US would not be charged upon re-entry, and that the new fee structure will apply in the upcoming lottery cycle.
With nearly 72 percent of H-1B visas going to Indians, the measure has triggered concerns about its impact on Indian tech professionals and their families.
The Indian government has directed its missions abroad to provide assistance to nationals traveling back to the US within the next 24 hours. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that the long-term consequences of the policy are under review.
“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 by Indian industry, which has already put out an initial analysis clarifying some perceptions,” the MEA said.