Changes in H-1B Visa Sponsorship Fees
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an exemption for H-1B applicants from paying a $100,000 fee when they are changing their visa status from student to H-1B while in the U.S.
Impact on Indian Candidates and Tech Companies
- This exemption provides relief to thousands of Indian candidates and tech companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Amazon, Tata Consultancy Services, and Salesforce that hire students from U.S. universities.
- Prior to this clarification, a proclamation by the Trump administration required employers to pay a $100,000 fee for sponsoring new H-1B visas effective September 21.
Exemption Details
- The USCIS specified that the fee does not apply to:
- Amendment requests
- Change of status
- Extension of stay for those legally in the U.S. on or after September 21
- This is relevant for students, skilled workers on visas like L-1, and existing H-1B visa holders.
Statistics and Trends
- Approximately 330,000 Indian students were enrolled in U.S. universities, making them one of the largest groups from overseas.
- There has been a decline in the number of Indian students moving to the U.S. due to anti-immigration policies.
- A Bloomberg report noted a 28% year-on-year drop in foreign students entering the U.S., with a 46% decrease from India as of July.
Future Implications
- The Trump administration proposed selecting H-1B petitions based on wages rather than a random lottery system, which could impact entry-level and fresher workers.
- Only 20,000 H-1B visas are available for those pursuing advanced degrees in the U.S., a small number in comparison to the total Indian student population in U.S. colleges.
These changes reflect ongoing shifts in U.S. immigration policy, particularly concerning skilled workers and international students.
