**How H-1B Visa Fee Hike Hurts Students Eyeing US Jobs**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 20, 2025*
US President Donald Trump has announced a steep increase in the cost of H-1B visas, causing growing concern among Indian students and their families. Effective September 21, the new fee structure raises the annual application cost to $100,000 per application — a drastic jump from previous levels. This sharp hike is expected to make US employers more selective when hiring international graduates.
**Shift in Job Landscape**
The H-1B program allows US companies to hire foreign workers for high-skilled positions that cannot be filled by American citizens or permanent residents. However, with the new fee structure, entry-level sponsorships are likely to decrease. Opportunities may become concentrated in specialized STEM fields and higher-paying roles, leaving many Indian families questioning the return on investment (ROI) of pursuing a US degree.
**Investment Concerns and Potential for Gradual Change**
Aman Singh, co-founder of Hyderabad-based fintech platform GradRight, highlighted that the increased fee could impact career outcomes and raise serious questions about the value of a US education. Nevertheless, he noted that similar executive actions have been proposed before but often face difficulties during implementation, suggesting the long-term impact might be less severe than initial fears.
**Policy Impact and Visa Processing Delays**
This announcement comes amid an already unpredictable regulatory environment in the US. In May, the US government suspended all new student visa interview appointments to update their system, coinciding with stricter screening norms. Piyush Bhartiya, co-founder of AdmitKard, explained that this stop-start process has unsettled students and has created a more negative sentiment towards studying abroad in the US.
**Global Shift: Alternatives to the US**
Despite these challenges, the US continues to attract Indian students owing to its top-ranked universities and Optional Practical Training (OPT) provisions. However, countries like Canada, the UK, Germany, and Australia are becoming more appealing as they relax their post-study work regimes. Akshay Chaturvedi of Leverage Edu mentioned that Europe — particularly Germany, Italy, and Poland — is emerging as a strong alternative for students seeking international education and career opportunities.
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The H-1B visa fee hike marks a significant change in the international student and skilled worker landscape, prompting many to reconsider their education and career plans abroad.
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