The United States has started imposing a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications. The decision, announced by President Donald Trump, has worried Indian professionals and US tech companies. Reports now say that not all groups will face the fee, but doctors and medical residents may get exemptions.
Exemptions Possible in National Interest
According to Bloomberg, the White House has said that the rule will not apply in every case. “The Proclamation allows for potential exemptions, which can include physicians and medical residents,” White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told Bloomberg in a statement via email.
This means exemptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The US may decide to spare healthcare workers if their role supports the country’s national interest.
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Big Impact on Indians
Indians account for about three-quarters of H-1B visas issued every year. The annual lottery gives out 85,000 visas. Most are for high-skilled workers like engineers, scientists, and computer programmers. Indians working in the US tech industry fear that the new $100,000 fee will make jobs harder to get and increase pressure on families.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reacted with concern. “This measure is likely to have humanitarian consequences by way of the disruption caused to families. Government hopes that these disruptions can be addressed suitably by the US authorities,” the MEA said in a statement.
Criticism from the Tech Industry
The move has faced strong criticism from American business leaders. Elon Musk warned that the US does not have enough domestic talent to meet demand. He said companies rely on global workers, especially Indians, to fill important jobs in the tech industry.
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Major firms argue that the new fee will harm innovation, raise costs, and push talent away from the US. Many fear that Canada and Europe could benefit as skilled workers look for easier immigration options.
Healthcare Workers at the Centre
The doctor exemption shows a new angle on this issue. The US has a shortage of healthcare workers, which became clear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitals rely on foreign-trained doctors and medical residents to care for patients in rural and poor areas.
Doctor exemptions could support the continuation of essential healthcare services. Critics counter that even if healthcare workers are exempt, other qualified professionals are nonetheless unfairly excluded by the rules.
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H-1B Fee Effects
The new H-1B fee is one of the costliest measures ever for high-skilled immigration. While exemptions may reduce the burden on some sectors, uncertainty remains for most Indian workers. The debate now goes beyond economics. It raises questions about whether the US wants to attract global talent or push it away.
