The Donald Trump administration is planning to impose hefty fees on H-1B and F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs with the aim of tightening US visa regulations.
According to the Federal Register, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering raising H-1B visa fees to $103,265.
Additionally, a fee of $100,000 could be proposed for OPT applications, which apply to foreign students transitioning from university to the workforce.
Increased Burden On Professionals And Students
According to an analysis by the corporate immigration service firm Fragomen, the implementation of these two rules would lead to an unprecedented increase in the financial burden on foreign professionals working in the US, international students, and the US employers sponsoring them.
This change is a major cause for concern for Indian citizens, as Indians account for more than 70 percent of H-1B visa recipients in the US.
Statistics show that US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved a total of 399,402 H-1B petitions in 2024, with approximately 71 percent of these petitions being for India-born professionals.
Fee-Related Rule Proposal Submitted
Immigration law firm Fragomen revealed in a report that these policies and proposals have already undergone the review process by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
The rule proposal regarding OPT fees was submitted to the OMB on August 20. This proposed fee hike by the DHS is also being viewed in the context of ongoing litigation concerning the administration’s previously stalled $100,000 H-1B petition fee. However, detailed specifications of these proposals have not yet been officially released and will be made public once finalized.
Risk Of Losing The 60-Day Grace Period
In addition to the proposal for steep fee hikes, the DHS has recently recommended eliminating the 60-day grace period currently available to unemployed H-1B workers.
Under existing rules, if an H-1B worker loses their job before their visa term expires, they are granted a 60-day window to find new employment or change their status. However, if the new rule is implemented, this grace period would be completely abolished, forcing employees who lose their jobs and their dependents to leave the U.S. immediately or face becoming undocumented immigrants.
5.2 Million People Of Indian Origin
According to U.S. Census data, more than 5.2 million people of Indian origin currently reside in the United States. Consequently, such tightening of visa regulations could cast a shadow of uncertainty over the futures of thousands of Indian families.
