NEWS. CONTEXTS. PERSPECTIVE
ElevenAM Desk
19 Sept 2026
The US administration has prolonged a controversial policy aimed at sharply increasing the cost of H-1B visas, even as the measure remains under legal challenge.
ElevenAM Desk | Itanagar | 19 September 2026 | 5:30 AM IST
US President Donald Trump has extended for another year an executive-order policy that seeks to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B non-immigrant visas, keeping alive a major point of uncertainty for technology companies and skilled foreign workers.
The H-1B programme allows US employers to hire specialised foreign workers, with Indian professionals forming one of its largest groups. The proposed fee is far above the traditional cost of an H-1B petition and has been challenged in US courts.
The extended order does not apply uniformly to every existing H-1B holder. Reuters reported that certain renewals and some status conversions, including from student visas, are excluded from the higher-fee push.
Business groups argue that the programme is essential for filling specialised skill gaps, while supporters of tighter restrictions say employers should rely more heavily on domestic workers. The court challenges will remain central to whether the fee can ultimately be enforced.