New US visa policy hits Indian citizens hardest
The United States’ new visa policy has dealt a major blow to Indian citizens, who have been the largest beneficiaries of skilled worker visas.
With US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a hefty annual visa fee of $100,000, thousands of Indians could soon face serious challenges in pursuing work opportunities in the US.
According to official data from 2024, a total of 399,395 H-1B visas were issued by the US. Of these, a staggering 283,397 visas — about 72% — went to Indian citizens, cementing India’s position as the top recipient of skilled US visas.
China was a distant second, receiving 46,680 H-1B visas during the same period. Meanwhile, all other countries combined, including Pakistan, accounted for less than 1% of the total visas issued, highlighting the overwhelming share held by Indian professionals in the American tech and corporate sectors.
The new policy announced by President Trump includes a dramatic visa fee hike of $100,000 for H-1B applicants. Immigration experts warn that this steep increase could heavily impact thousands of Indian professionals, many of whom rely on the H-1B program for employment in the US.
