Understanding the New Fee and Its Implications
A new annual fee of $100,000 for H-1B visas in the United States takes effect on Sunday, but it will not affect current visa holders returning to the country, according to Axios’s report on Saturday.
Background: H-1B Visa Program
The H-1B visa program is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise. This program is crucial for many Indian IT companies that deploy skilled professionals in the U.S.
Executive Order and Its Potential Impact
On Friday night, President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing the new fee on H-1B visa applications. This move could disrupt global operations of Indian IT service companies deploying qualified professionals in the U.S., as reported by Nasscom, the Indian industry body for IT and Business Process Management (BPM) sectors, on Saturday morning.
Clarification from the White House
According to Axios, the White House clarified that the new fee will not affect current visa holders returning to or renewing their visas in the country.
Implementation of New Fee Structure
The new fee structure will initially apply to the upcoming H-1B lottery cycle for new applicants, as per Axios.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What is the new fee for H-1B visas? A: The new annual fee for H-1B visas is $100,000.
- Q: When does this new fee take effect? A: The new fee takes effect on Sunday.
- Q: Will current H-1B visa holders be affected by this new fee? A: No, current H-1B visa holders returning to or renewing their visas in the U.S. will not be impacted by this new fee, according to the White House clarification.
- Q: Which group will be primarily affected by this new fee? A: The new fee structure will primarily affect new applicants during the upcoming H-1B lottery cycle.
- Q: How might this new fee impact Indian IT companies? A: The new fee could disrupt the operations of Indian IT service companies that rely on deploying skilled professionals in the U.S., as these companies may face increased costs and potential limitations on their workforce.
