Why Amitabh Kant Doesn't See $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee As Setback For India

Why Amitabh Kant Doesn't See $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee As Setback For India

US President Donald Trump and former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant.

Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant stated on Saturday that US President Donald Trump's decision to increase the annual H-1B visa fee to $100,000 will ultimately benefit India while disadvantaging the United States.

Kant suggested that this policy will restrict global talent flow and subsequently redirect the "next generation of laboratories, patents, innovations and startups to cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Gurgaon" in India.

The ex-G-20 Sherpa's comments followed Trump's signing of a proclamation that limits entry of certain non-immigrant workers and establishes a substantial $100,000 annual fee for visas utilized by companies to employ foreign workers, including Indians, to reside and work in America.

"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," Kant expressed in a post on X.

"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 further added.

According to President Trump, imposing higher costs on companies seeking H-1B visas is necessary to combat program abuse while still allowing businesses to recruit top-tier temporary foreign workers.

"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.

The Trump administration explained that the $100,000 fee aims to ensure that immigrants brought into the country are "actually very highly skilled" and do not replace American workers.

H-1B visas remain valid for three years with the possibility of renewal for an additional three-year period.

The US President also signed an executive order titled 'The Gold Card,' establishing a new visa pathway for exceptionally talented foreigners committed to supporting the United States.

Under the Gold Card program, individuals who can pay $100,000 to the US Treasury, or corporations sponsoring applicants for $200,000, will receive expedited visa processing and a pathway to obtaining a Green Card in America.