Over 70% of U.S. H-1B Visa Holders Are Indian; Trump’s $100,000 Fee Sparks Global Backlash

In FY2024, Indian nationals received 71% (283,397) of the 399,395 approved H-1B visas, followed by China with 11.7% (~47,000).
This trend has remained steady: 72.3% in FY2023 and 72.6% in FY2022, according to USCIS and Pew Research data.
There are an estimated 400,000-500,000 active H-1B holders in the U.S., over 70% of them Indian.
Indian dominance reflects the country’s strong STEM pipeline and its key role in U.S. tech and healthcare sectors.

On September 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order raising the H-1B application fee to $100,000 for new applicants, citing “abuse” of the system and a goal to prioritize U.S. workers.
The fee is paid by employers, not workers, and does not affect renewals or existing visa holders.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the reform would “deter low-wage sponsorships” and fund U.S. workforce training.

The policy caused immediate confusion, with H-1B holders rushing back to the U.S. before enforcement began.
Major U.S. tech firms, including Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Apple, clarified the fee would not apply to current employees.
Indian IT firms such as TCS and Infosys expect financial strain and may shift operations offshore to Canada or India.
Nasscom, India’s IT industry body, warned of “potential family disruptions” and “ripple effects” on U.S. innovation.

On September 22, 2025, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the policy “is likely to have humanitarian consequences by way of the disruption caused for families.”
Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh stated H-1B workers contribute $86 billion annually to the U.S. economy, including $24 billion in federal taxes.
Experts predict a 30-50% drop in Indian applications, with talent shifting to Europe, the UK, or Canada.

Economists warn the U.S. risks losing global STEM talent as other nations attract skilled workers.
The move fits Trump’s “America First” policy, echoing earlier restrictions from his 2017-2021 term.
Indian tech professionals express disillusionment: one engineer said, “The so-called ‘American Dream’ looks like a cruel joke now.”
Industry experts say U.S. firms may offshore more work and limit visas to critical roles, while India could see limited “brain gain” if workers return home.

The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, typically in technology, engineering, medicine, and research.
It has an annual cap of 85,000 new visas but exceeds that through renewals and exemptions.
The program has long drawn debate over its impact on American jobs, wages, and innovation.