Political debate has started once again in America regarding H-1B Visa. President Donald Trump’s recent order calls for new restrictions and a fee of approximately $1,00,000 (about Rs 83 lakh) on non-immigrant workers, especially H-1B visa holders. The purpose of this step of Trump is said to be to promote domestic employment. Apart from this, American lawmakers and industry experts believe that this decision can be harmful for both America’s technological leadership and India-US partnership.

Four prominent lawmakers from California and Texas, Jimmy Panetta, Ami Bera, Salud Carbajal and Julie Johnson, have written a letter demanding President Trump to reconsider this policy. He says that the H-1B visa program is the fundamental basis of the American economy and innovation. Limiting it will weaken America’s competitiveness in areas like AI, cyber security and scientific research. The lawmakers wrote that this move would prove to be a major blow not only to talented foreign professionals, but also to American startups and research institutions.

There will be a direct impact on India

These MPs specifically took the name of India in their letter and said that this policy can deeply hurt the India-US strategic partnership. He wrote, ‘High-skilled technical talent coming from India is an integral part of our innovation ecosystem. Limiting the H-1B visa program will not only hinder technological progress but will also affect relations with our democratic ally India. According to the information, last year 71% H-1B visas were issued to Indian citizens, which makes it clear that India is the biggest beneficiary country of this program.

Why should America step back when China is increasing investment?

The lawmakers said that when powers like China are investing billions of dollars in artificial intelligence and robotics, America should focus on attracting talent, not limiting it. He warned that if this policy continues to be implemented, it will reduce America’s innovation capacity and weaken its position in global competition.

The burden on small businesses will increase

The MPs also argued that such high fees would make it almost impossible for small startups and research institutes to hire international talent. According to him, this policy will only favor big companies, while the real strength of American innovation lies in small businesses and emerging startups.”

Possible impact on India-US relations

Diplomatic analysts say that this visa policy of Trump can affect the strategic partnership that has been going on between the two countries for years. A large number of Indian professionals work in America in fields like technology, engineering, medicine and finance. Experts say that if new tariffs and restrictions are implemented, it will not only reduce Indian talent flow but will also limit educational and business cooperation between the two countries.

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The US government has increased the fees of H-1B visa to $ 1 lakh, or about 88 lakh rupees. This new fee will only apply to new visa applications and has been implemented under the order of US President Donald Trump. However, the US government has clarified that in some cases, visa fee can be exempted in view of national interest. Actually the H-1B visa is important for those experts and trend professionals who come to work in America’s hospitals and IT companies. Especially in remote areas where local professionals are not available, there is more dependence on foreign employees.

Impact of increasing fees

Regarding increasing the H-1B visa fees, the major organization of the IT industry Nascom says that in the last few years, Indian companies have reduced the dependence on H-1B visa in the US. The number of H-1B visas issued from India in 2015 was 14, 792, which declined to 10,162 in 2024. Nascom says that the new fees will only apply to new applications and it will not affect the existing visa holders. According to Nascom, the number of H-1B visa employees is less than one percent of the total employees in large companies. The salary of employees working under this visa is equal to local employees.

New job options in America after increasing fees

After increasing the fees of H-1B visa, many companies are increasing L-1 visa. This visa is for employees who are already working in the company and want to be transferred to America. For this, it is necessary to have a role of at least 1 year job and special knowledge in the company. Apart from this, O-1 visa is also available for jobs in America. This visa is released for professionals with extraordinary talent. At the same time, J-1 visa is also available for jobs in America, this visa is for trainee and intern. Apart from this, you can also work in America with EB-1A visa. This visa also gives a green card directly to professionals with extraordinary talent. At the same time, students who have completed their studies in America are also allowed to work for 3 years under Stem OPT.

Impact on students studying in America

H-1B visa fees can affect the entry level jobs. At the same time, after changes in visa, companies will now give priority to local or American graduates. This can reduce job opportunities for Indian students. In such a situation, Indian graduates are looking for opportunities in countries like Japan, Ireland, Canada and Europe.

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Us visa policy: Optional Practical Training (Opt) is an important part of the American immigration system. It helps foreign students studying on F-1 visa to achieve work experience for 1 to 3 years after completing the course. This is considered especially important for students studying in Stem (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). This program acts like a bridge for the H-1B work visa.

Standard OPT is 12 months. In this, the time increases for 24 months with the help of Stem Opt Extension. However, a bill presented in the US Congress in early 2025 has demanded to completely abolish the OPT program. This proposal has been introduced under the security of the US labor market and anti -immigrant strategies. If this bill is passed, it can destroy the career possibilities of millions of foreign students.
There will be a problem due to lack of opt program
Due to the elimination of OPT program completely, people studying may have to face many problems. The most impact of this can be seen on Indian students. Due to its end, there will be many problems, which are the following.

• Access to H-1B visa will be limited.
• The chance to get the work experience will end.
• The career path in the US will stop for Stem students.
• The possibility of repaying the loan for the students will be negligible.

Eastern Chothani, a major immigration on the case, says that if the bill is passed, students may have to leave America immediately.

Impact on Indian students
According to the Open Doors 2024 report, 331,602 Indian students are studying in the US in 2023-24, of which around 97,556 are part of the OPT program. This shows that this law will affect students from countries like India the most, as they enroll in stem areas on a large scale. American salary will not be available without OPT, which will make it difficult to repay the student loan. There will be uncertainty in future education plans. People associated with science and technology will migrate from America. Multinational companies may face a shortage of skilled talent.

Response of educational institutions and students
Major American institutions such as Cornell, Colombia, Yale etc. have informally advised their foreign students not to go home during the holidays. Many students have canceled the summer journey as they are afraid of not getting admission in America again. Some students are applying early for H-1B visa lottery. Many students are now looking for opportunities in countries like Canada, UK, Australia.

What is the option for students?
If Opt is finished, students should start the process of obtaining H-1B visa as soon as possible. Post-study work visa facility should be started in the UK. In Canada, the PR process and the student support system can be a better option. Large companies can transfer students to other countries through their global networks.

Serious questions on the future of Indian stem students
This initiative to eliminate the OPT program raises serious questions on the future of thousands of international students, especially Indian Stem students, who came to study in America. This step will not only affect the availability of skilled talent for the US, but can also reduce its reputation in the field of higher education.