Trump H-1B Visa New Rule: Finding a job in the United States is no longer as easy as it once was. The situation has become even more challenging, especially for foreign professionals. Recently, Donald Trump proposed a significant increase in H-1B visa fees, which will impact hundreds of thousands of foreign workers, including Indians.
H-1B Visa Costs Are Skyrocketing:
Currently, an H-1B visa can cost up to approximately $100,000, which is about 90 lakh rupees. Previously, the total cost of an H-1B visa was limited to a few thousand dollars, with most of it borne by companies. However, under the new rules, if a company wants to hire and train a foreign worker, they will have to pay the government $100,000. This massive increase will make hiring foreign workers significantly more expensive for organizations.
Impact on Companies and Foreign Workers:
The American government wants companies to prioritize American citizens and young graduates from US educational institutions. Securing a job in America is already a challenge, especially with intense competition in the tech industry. Now, with visa costs and regulations becoming so stringent, the path for foreigners to enter America has narrowed even further. Companies will now think twice before hiring foreign workers, as the cost has increased substantially.
The H-1B visa has long been the preferred choice for Indian professionals. Between 2020 and 2023, approximately 71% of H-1B visas issued were obtained by Indians. Major tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta used to hire thousands of Indians annually on this visa. However, if the fees are increased this much, it will no longer be financially viable for these companies to obtain H-1B visas for such candidates.
Additional Hurdles and Changes in Immigration Policy:
Furthermore, factors such as local networking, interview culture, and American work experience in US companies already posed obstacles for foreign candidates. Now, these additional visa complexities will be added, making it even harder to move there and sustain a career. The reality is that America’s immigration policy is no longer as open. These changes indicate that the government now aims to give opportunities to its own citizens first. The underlying idea is that due to the COVID-19 pandemic and recent economic fluctuations, prioritizing jobs for Americans has become paramount.
Conclusion:
All in all, working in America is no longer just a matter of talent or qualifications. It will require a substantial amount of money, the support of the right company, and a robust plan. For those who cannot arrange all these provisions, going to America will remain just a dream. It can be said that finding a job in America is becoming almost impossible.