United States President Donald Trump on Friday signed a proclamation that required companies to pay a fee of $100,000 per year for each application under the H-1B visa programme.
This might prove to be a big setback for Indian IT firms and Indians working or aspiring to work in the United States. Reacting to the announcement, the Hindu American Foundation raised concerns and said that they were "waiting for more clarification and guidance".
After the announcement, the Hindu American Foundation took to X and posted, "We know that thousands of Hindus in America are confused, frightened and filled with many questions after POTUS' sudden EO affecting H1-B visas. We are waiting for more clarification and guidance regarding this announcement, its legality, implications for those going to India for visa stamping and more."
"We are in solidarity with these talented, highly skilled workers who have made enormous contributions to our country, done everything right and followed every law to be in our country legally—they deserve dignity, respect and lawful treatment," the foundation further said on X.
A statement released by the White House explained, “The proclamation restricts entry for aliens as nonimmigrants to perform services in specialty occupations in the H-1B programme unless their petition is accompanied by a $100,000 payment.”
Who will be impacted?
As per the proclamation, it does not apply to individuals already in the US on H-1B status or to student visa holders on OPT seeking to change their status to H-1B.
It applies only to individuals outside the United States who are being sponsored for H-1B visas and seeking entry. This is specifically aimed at the Indian IT outsourcing companies whose business model is to sponsor large numbers of foreign workers abroad and bring them into the U.S. on H-1B visas. They may shift to sourcing workers who arrived on student visas or to heavily utilizing L-1 visas.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
