Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant has characterized President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas as detrimental to American interests while potentially benefiting India’s technology sector.
Amitabh Kant takes to X on H-1B Fee Hike
Amitabh Kant responded to Trump’s proclamation on Saturday, arguing the policy will redirect global talent away from the United States. “Donald Trump’s 100,000 H-1B fee will choke U.S. innovation, and turbocharge India’s. By slamming the door on global talent, America pushes the next wave of labs, patents, innovation and startups to Bangalore and Hyderabad, Pune and Gurgaon,” he posted on X.
Donald Trump’s 100,000 H-1B fee will choke U.S. innovation, and turbocharge India’s. By slamming the door on global talent, America pushes the next wave of labs, patents, innovation and startups to Bangalore and Hyderabad, Pune and Gurgaon . India’s finest Doctors, engineers,…
— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) September 20, 2025
The former G-20 Sherpa suggested India could capitalize on the policy shift. “India’s finest Doctors, engineers, scientists, innovators have an opportunity to contribute to India’s growth & progress towards #ViksitBharat. America’s loss will be India’s gain,” he added.
What does H-1B Fee Hike mean?
Donald Trump’s proclamation restricts entry for certain non-immigrant workers and significantly increases visa costs for companies hiring foreign professionals. The administration justifies the measure as necessary to prevent program abuse while ensuring access to top-tier talent.
“Some employers, using practices now widely adopted by entire sectors, have abused the H-1B statute and its regulations to artificially suppress wages, resulting in a disadvantageous labour market for American citizens, while at the same time making it more difficult to attract and retain the highest skilled subset of temporary workers, with the largest impact seen in critical science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields,” Trump stated.
.@POTUS signs a Proclamation to restrict the entry of certain H-1B aliens into the U.S. as nonimmigrant workers, requiring a $100,000 payment to accompany or supplement H-1B petitions for new applications.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 19, 2025
AMERICA FIRST! pic.twitter.com/AzAUJzXawV
The administration maintains the fee increase will ensure incoming workers are “actually very highly skilled” and won’t displace American employees.
H-1B visas, valid for three years with possible three-year renewals, have traditionally served as a primary pathway for skilled foreign workers entering the U.S. technology sector.
About Gold Card Visa Program
Donald Trump also introduced the “Gold Card” program, creating an expedited visa pathway for individuals demonstrating extraordinary ability. Under this initiative, applicants paying $100,000 to the U.S. Treasury, or $200,000 for corporate sponsorships, receive expedited processing and potential Green Card access.
The policy changes represent a significant shift in U.S. immigration approach, potentially reshaping global talent distribution patterns across technology hubs.
