WASHINGTON: Recent revisions to the US H-1B visa policy have sparked concerns about significant repercussions for India’s IT sector.
According to reports, the US President recently set the annual H-1B worker visa fee at $100,000 as part of measures to limit immigration, and a new executive order implementing this fee has now come into effect.
US officials have clarified that the updated policy will not apply to individuals who already hold an H-1B visa or are in the process of renewing their existing visas. However, new applicants seeking H-1B visas will be required to pay the substantial new fee.
Industry experts warn that India’s IT industry will bear the brunt of this policy, while professionals from China and Pakistan could also face considerable challenges.
According to official US statistics, in fiscal year 2024, India accounted for 71% of all issued H-1B visas, followed by China at 11.7%, while Pakistan’s share remained below 1%, ranking eighth among all countries.
Dallas-based immigration attorney Naeem Sukhia observed that, under the new policy, sponsorship for professionals in Pakistan’s IT, engineering, and education sectors will become significantly more expensive.
Nonetheless, he added that the nursing and healthcare sectors could potentially benefit from exemptions under the national interest provisions.
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