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The Trump administration is advancing visa changes that could make studying and working in the United States more expensive for Indian students and professionals. The measures span H-1B fees, wage rules, student visa limits, Optional Practical Training (OPT) and possible green-card bonds.
The tightening is visible in application trends. H-1B registrations fell from about 794,000 in 2023 to roughly 344,000 last year, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data. The share of US employers willing to hire foreign business-school graduates dropped from 55% in 2022 to 29% in 2026.
From September 9, employers with at least 50 workers, more than half of whom are on H-1B or L-1 visas, will face extension fees.
The charge will be USD 4,000 for each H-1B extension and USD 4,500 for each L-1 extension. These fees previously applied mainly to fresh hires and job switches. The government estimates the expansion could raise about USD 157.3 million annually.
Indian technology companies could be affected as many depend on multi-year US assignments requiring periodic visa renewals.
From September 15, the F-1 “duration of status” system is set to be replaced with a fixed admission period capped at four years.
Students in longer doctoral or medical programmes would need to apply to USCIS for extensions, while the post-study grace period would fall from 60 days to 30 days.
International applications for the 2026-27 admission cycle have declined 10%, while applications from India fell 15%.
A proposed USD 103,265 fee would apply to each new cap-subject H-1B petition. The annual H-1B cap remains 85,000 visas, including 20,000 for applicants with advanced US degrees.
Separately, the Department of Labor has proposed higher prevailing wages, including an estimated 30% increase at the entry level.
The administration is also considering a USD 100,000 OPT fee. More than 363,000 Indian students were enrolled in US institutions during 2024-25, making them particularly exposed.
A separate proposal could require some immigrant-visa applicants to post a refundable green-card bond of up to USD 100,000.
Together, the measures could raise the cost of the US study-to-work pathway, making visa strategy, employer sponsorship and financial planning more important for Indian applicants.
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