Washington: An Indian-American advocacy group has voiced concern over the proposed USD 103,265 additional fees for H1-B work visas, saying the move would push US jobs overseas.
The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) said an extraordinary fee could make legitimate hiring economically impractical and unintentionally encourage companies to place high-value jobs overseas.
The FIIDS statement came a day after the Department of Homeland Security proposed an additional USD 103,265 fee for all H1-B visa cap-subject applications, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a standalone fee of $103,265 for new cap-subject H-1B petitions. [1, 2]
The rule applies to new applicants, including advanced-degree exemptions, impacting thousands of international students and professionals. Indian nationals, who hold over 70% of H-1B visas, face the heaviest blow.
Organizations like Nasscom warn that the massive cost increase disrupts talent mobility and burdens companies already dealing with expansion fees and legal uncertainties following earlier federal court battles.
The requirement is a proposed regulation undergoing a 30-day public comment period and is not yet final or active.
