IT execs fear blow to US dream in H-1B visa fee hike

Bhubaneswar: IT professionals who aspire to work in the USA in the coming days are worried about the steep hike in H-1B visa fee.

Sujit Kumar Nayak, who works for a US-based IT company from its Bhubaneswar office, said his chance to work in America will become very difficult in the coming days because of the H-1B visa fee hike. “I do not think my company will sponsor my visa fee to work in the USA,” Nayak said.



He said the H-1B visa fee was raised to $1 lakh, a huge jump from the previous $2,000-$5,000. “Though it is a one-time fee for new applicants, it makes the process prohibitively expensive for many firms. It will increase the cost for companies and reduce the margin of profits,” he added.

Chinmay Kumar Barik, who also works for a US company, said Indian IT companies are among the largest users of H-1B visas. These companies will face a substantial increase in their operational costs for on-site projects in the US.

“The hike may discourage companies from sponsoring H-1B visas, especially for junior or mid-level positions. It will reduce the opportunities for IT professionals from India seeking to work in the US,” said Barik.

He said some experts think the fee hike would encourage skilled Indian professionals to stay in India, strengthening the domestic tech and startup ecosystem. They also feel the hike will stifle innovation by making it harder to attract top global talent.

Pratyush Ranjan Sahu, who works from home for an American IT company, said the fee hike may compel companies to become more selective and prioritise while hiring local talent. “Indian IT companies may shift their business models, focusing more on local hiring in the US and executing more projects from offshore locations in India,” Sahu said.

He said a company pays a hefty salary with other perks for projects in the US. “The visa fee will obviously increase its costs. Without sending a staff member for on-site projects in the US, companies will now take two or three employees at that same cost. Difficult days are ahead for IT professionals who want to go to the US and work,” Sahu added.

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