H-1B visa fee hike: Indian Embassy in US issues emergency assistance number

Representative image

The Indian Embassy in US has issued an emergency assistance number for nationals seeking support a day after US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing an annual fee of $ 100,000 on fresh H-1B visa applications.

"Indian nationals seeking emergency assistance may call cell number +1-202-550-9931 (and WhatsApp). This number should be used only by Indian nationals seeking immediate emergency assistance and not for routine consular queries," it said in a post on X.

Indian nationals seeking emergency assistance may call cell number +1-202-550-9931 (and WhatsApp). This number should be used only by Indian nationals seeking immediate emergency assistance and not for routine consular queries.

— India in USA (@IndianEmbassyUS) September 20, 2025

A senior US administration official clarified on Saturday that the annual fee targets new H-1B visa petitions only and it will not impact the existing holders or renewals.

The Trump administration's sudden move will significantly impact skilled Indian professionals in the US. According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Indians make up an estimated 71 per cent of all approved H-1B applications in recent years.

Currently, the H-1B visa fee that companies pay to sponsor H-1B applicants ranges from about $2,000-5,000, depending on employer size and other costs.

In his proclamation, Trump said the H-1B visa programme was created to bring temporary workers into the US to perform additive, high-skilled functions, but it has been deliberately exploited to replace, rather than supplement, American workers with lower-paid, lower-skilled labour.

"The abuse of the H-1B programme is also a national security threat. Domestic law enforcement agencies have identified and investigated H-1B-reliant outsourcing companies for engaging in visa fraud, conspiracy to launder money..., and other illicit activities to encourage foreign workers to come to the US." Trump said.

Soon after Trump signed the proclamation on Saturday, the Indian government said this measure is likely to have humanitarian consequences by way of disruption for families.

"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 related to the H-1B program," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

"This measure is likely to have humanitarian consequences by way of the disruption caused for families. Government hopes that these disruptions can be addressed suitably by the US authorities,," he added.