H-1B visas explained: A look at the impact of Trump's plan to charge a $100K fee

H-1B Visa Program Changes - The Trump administration is considering raising the H-1B visa application fee to $100,000 [1][3] - The H-1B visa program allows US employers to hire foreign professionals in specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree [1] - For fiscal year 2026, over 350,000 registrations were received, but only 120,000 were selected [4] Impact on Indian Companies - 71% of H-1B visa users are from India, with the bulk of the remainder coming from China [6] - Approximately 86,000 workers per year receive the H-1B visa [7] - The potential annual fee of $100,000 would have been materially detrimental to India [6][7] US-India Trade Relations - The US-India trade situation is not good, with tariffs increasing [8][9] - The US and India have not reached a trade deal, and negotiations are ongoing [9][10] - The US Trade Representative (USTR) has been focused on India, including stripping them of their GSP status [9]