President Donald Trump established a new annual payment of $100,000 for H-1B visa applications, prompting sharp criticism from Indian Congress leaders. The opposition party accused the Modi government of allowing deteriorating relations with Washington despite claims of strong friendship between the two leaders. Congress representatives pointed to multiple examples of American policies harming Indian interests, such as increased tariffs on goods and sanctions affecting trade routes.
Trump defended the policy as necessary for protecting American employment opportunities. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick explained that the high fee would discourage companies from hiring foreign workers and encourage them to invest in domestic training programs instead. The administration limits visa renewals to six years total and applies the fee to both new applications and renewals.
The president also created a gold card system requiring individuals to pay $1 million and corporations $2 million for special visa access. The H-1B program typically issues 85,000 new visas each year to skilled foreign professionals.
Trump defended the policy as necessary for protecting American employment opportunities. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick explained that the high fee would discourage companies from hiring foreign workers and encourage them to invest in domestic training programs instead. The administration limits visa renewals to six years total and applies the fee to both new applications and renewals.
The president also created a gold card system requiring individuals to pay $1 million and corporations $2 million for special visa access. The H-1B program typically issues 85,000 new visas each year to skilled foreign professionals.
