U.S. H-1B Visa Changes and Fee Increase Impact on Indian Citizens and Workforce

India's Ministry of External Affairs criticized the U.S. decision to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications, citing potential humanitarian and economic disruptions, especially for Indian professionals who make up over 70% of H-1B recipients. The policy, aimed at addressing systemic abuse, has caused chaos among Indian communities and raised concerns about its impact on U.S.-India relations and the tech industry. Major U.S. tech companies clarified that the fee applies only to new visa petitions, and current visa holders can continue traveling as before.