India expresses concerns over US’s $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas, highlighting potential disruptions to skilled talent mobility. MEA said industry in both nations has a stake in innovation and can be expected to consult on the best path forward.
In a significant policy shift, the United States announced a substantial increase in the annual fee for H-1B visa applications, raising it to $100,000. This move has elicited strong reactions from India, which is the largest beneficiary of the H-1B program. The Indian government and industry bodies have expressed concerns over the potential disruptions to skilled talent mobility, economic growth, and the humanitarian impact on families.
India’s initial response
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India issued a statement expressing that the full implications of the new H-1B visa fee are being studied. The MEA highlighted that skilled talent mobility has significantly contributed to technology development, innovation, economic growth, competitiveness and wealth creation in both the United States and India. The government emphasised that policymakers should assess recent steps considering mutual benefits, including strong people-to-people ties between the two countries. Furthermore, the MEA noted that the measure is likely to have humanitarian consequences due to the disruption caused for families and expressed hope that these disruptions can be addressed suitably by US authorities. mint