Kathmandu: US President Donald Trump has announced a new annual fee of $100,000 for H-1B skilled worker visas, sparking strong reactions from the global technology sector. India’s leading IT industry body, Nasscom, warned that the move could severely disrupt business continuity and impact offshore projects.

“The bottom line is that we are bringing great people here and they will pay for it,” President Trump said while signing the executive order in the Oval Office. The H-1B visa program allows foreign professionals, including scientists, engineers, and programmers, to work in the United States.

The US currently grants 85,000 H-1B visas annually through a lottery system, with roughly three-quarters awarded to Indian nationals. Nasscom stated that implementing such a major change with only a day’s notice has created confusion for global businesses and students, urging for a proper transition period before such policies take effect.

Additional Immigration Changes

Trump also announced a review of the “Gold Card” immigration program, which offers a fast-track to permanent residency for individuals who invest $1 million or for corporate sponsors contributing $2 million. This move marks the latest in a series of tough immigration policies introduced during Trump’s second term, following record-high H-1B visa denial rates during his first term.

Global Reactions

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said it would conduct a thorough assessment of the policy’s impact on its companies and workers and initiate talks with the US government. This comes after hundreds of South Koreans were arrested in a recent immigration raid in Georgia, further heightening concerns over the crackdown.