The administration of President Donald Trump is looking into imposing new charges for H-1B visa application forms and F-1 OPT applications. The new proposal will see the cost of employing foreign workers, international students and US firms increase.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing that there be an increase in the H-1B visa fee to $103,265. In last year’s similar announcement of a $100,000 fee, the proposal was halted by the courts.
New H-1B Fee Could Raise Costs
If the new proposals come into force, there will definitely be increased costs for the firms that sponsor H-1B workers. The foreign professionals will also feel the effect of the proposals when changing their jobs or seeking work in the US.
According to the immigration services company, Fragomen, the proposal has already passed through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) at the White House.
“A proposed OPT fee rule was sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on August 20 and is now under review. A proposed rule to impose a fee on certain H-1B petitions was received by OMB and cleared review on the same day, August 19,” Fragomen said.
The exact details have not yet been made public. The proposals are expected to be officially released later.
Indians Could Be Among the Biggest Affected
The proposed changes are significant for Indian professionals. Indians account for more than 70 per cent of H-1B beneficiaries. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved 399,402 H-1B petitions in 2024. Indian-born beneficiaries accounted for about 71 per cent of them.
Fragomen has also warned that DHS could propose a $100,000 fee on OPT applications. The H-1B proposal may also be linked to the legal battle surrounding the previously blocked $100,000 H-1B fee.
H-1B Workers May Also Lose 60-Day Grace Period
Fees are not the only concern for foreign workers. Earlier this month, DHS proposed removing the existing 60-day grace period for certain unemployed H-1B workers and their dependants. If finalised, affected workers could have to leave the US soon after their employment ends.
The current rule gives eligible H-1B workers up to 60 days after losing employment to find another job, change status or make other arrangements. Removing that protection could put additional pressure on workers who suddenly lose their jobs.
What It Means for Indian Students and Workers
The proposals could affect Indian students moving from universities to jobs, H-1B professionals and employers sponsoring foreign workers. More than 5.2 million people of Indian origin live in the US, based on recent estimates using US Census data.
However, the proposed rules are not final yet. Their exact scope, fees and implementation timeline will become clearer once DHS officially publishes the regulations.
Sudeep Singh Rawat is a Copy Editor at NewsX Digital with over five years of experience in digital journalism. He covers national and international news, with a focus on politics, crime, technology, public affairs, and trending topics. Before joining NewsX Digital, he worked with Business Standard, The Sunday Guardian, and other digital media organisations. His reporting focuses on breaking news, enterprise stories, and explainers that inform readers through accurate, balanced, and context-driven journalism.
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