Indian Responds To US H-1B Visa Fee Hike Of $100,000
In another effort to put restrictions on immigration, US President Donald Trump has signed a document imposing a $100,000 (nearly 88 lakh) fee on H-1B visa applicants. The deal would likely impact the US tech sector, which largely depends on skilled and cheap labour from India and China.
The H-1B visa is a temporary US work visa that allows companies to hire foreign professionals with specialised skills.
As per the new executive order, companies will have to sponsor H-1B applicants to $100,000 annually, to ensure the people they are bringing in are actually very highly skilled and that they are not replaceable by American workers.
Read also: How Trump’s $100,000 Fee On H-1B Visas Impacts Indians, The Largest Beneficiaries Of The Visa
Notably, India is amongst the largest impacting countries of the decision as India remained the largest beneficiary of H-1B visas last year, accounting for nearly 71 percent of the approved beneficiaries, while China at second with 11.7 percent beneficiaries.
Now, the Indian government has responded to the H-1B visa fee hike, considering the impacts of the decision by the US government. Emphasising the negotiations, the government has said that Industry in both the US and India can be expected to consult on the best path forward.
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Citing the contribution of skilled talent mobility and exchanges the government has responded that the policy makers will assess the recent steps for the mutual benefits of both the countries.
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Also, considering the humanitarian consequences by way of disruption caused for families, the government urged US authorities to address the problem suitably.
