The White House has announced strict new H-1B visa rules, soon after making a $100,000 fee mandatory for new petitions. The move aims to tighten the system and reduce misuse by companies hiring foreign workers.
The new plan, called “Reforming the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program,” brings several major changes. The first change is about what counts as a specialty occupation. Under the new rule, a worker’s degree must be directly related to the job duties. Earlier, it only needed to have a logical link. This small change could make many foreign professionals ineligible for certain roles.
Another change affects cap exemptions. Universities, research groups, and hospitals that earlier enjoyed special exemptions from the visa cap may lose them. This means more organizations will now have to compete under the regular H-1B limit.
Employer compliance will also face closer checks. Companies that have broken labor or wage laws in the past will be audited more often. There will be more inspections to ensure fair salaries and safe working conditions.
Companies that send their H-1B employees to other firms’ offices - common in the IT and consulting sectors - will now face extra review. The government wants to make sure such workers are treated fairly and paid properly.
The proposals also include new green card restrictions. The government may limit long-term residency options through visas like O-1A and national interest waivers. This could make it harder for talented professionals to settle permanently in the U.S.
At first, the $100,000 visa fee was confusing, and companies were in a hurry to call back their employees. However, the officials later said that the fee is only for new petitions and not for renewals. Still, tech firms fear it will raise hiring costs and reduce flexibility.
Indian tech workers may be hit the hardest. Many depend on flexible degree-to-job rules, cap exemptions, and third-party placements, all of which the new rules could limit.
Large firms such as NVIDIA said they would continue sponsoring H-1B visas despite higher costs. On the other hand, small startups might find it hard to cope with the extra burden.
These reforms are part of a larger plan to favor higher-paid jobs and protect US workers. Critics warn it may hurt innovation and reduce global talent access, especially in science and technology fields.
The final rules are expected later this year, after public comments and legal review. The new policies could reshape how companies across the US hire skilled workers from abroad.
Also Read – H-1B Visa Fee Hike and Wage-Based Selection: Indian IT Firms Face New Challenges