US Proposes Massive H-1B Visa Fee Hike to $103,265

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has unveiled a proposal to substantially raise the H-1B visa application fee to $103,265. This move seeks to re-establish a similar charge that was previously implemented but later invalidated by court rulings.

This proposed regulation also extends to the F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, aligning with a broader initiative from the Trump administration to revise work-visa costs. If enacted, these changes would sharply increase the financial burden for foreign nationals working in the US, for students transitioning from academia to employment, and for companies sponsoring H-1B staff.

Key Proposed Figures

• H-1B visa application fee: $103,265
• Potential OPT application fee: $100,000
• Indian-born applicants receiving H-1B petitions in 2024: 71%
• Total H-1B petitions approved by US Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2024: 399,402
• People of Indian origin residing in the United States: 5.2 million

Understanding the Proposed Fee Increases

Corporate immigration services firm Fragomen noted that both the OPT and H-1B fee rules have already undergone review by the White House Office of Management and Budget. The H-1B fee proposal may be linked to an ongoing legal challenge concerning a previous $100,000 petition fee.

The OPT application fee could also be set at $100,000, creating a parallel financial impact for international students seeking to gain work experience in the United States after completing their studies. These changes reflect a tightening stance on skilled-visa regulations.

Impact on Indian Professionals and Students

This proposal carries significant weight for India, as Indian nationals constitute over 70% of all H-1B beneficiaries. In 2024, Indian-born applicants received 71% of the 399,402 H-1B petitions approved by US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The proposed fee hikes are anticipated to heavily impact the substantial Indian community within the US workforce. With over 5.2 million people of Indian origin residing in the United States, they are among the groups most susceptible to the administration’s tightening of skilled-visa regulations.

Eliminating the Grace Period

In a separate but related development, the DHS has also proposed eliminating the 60-day grace period currently granted to H-1B workers who lose their jobs. This change, if finalized, would remove a critical safety net for these visa holders.

Workers and their dependents would be required to depart the US almost immediately after their sponsoring employment concludes. This contrasts sharply with the current two-month window, which allows individuals time to secure new sponsorship or adjust their immigration status.

These combined proposals, encompassing both increased costs and stricter post-employment requirements, signal a more challenging environment for Indian professionals and students seeking to live and work in the United States.