H-1B visa fee hike: Nasscom issues first statement, says Sept 21 timeline for implementation a concern

India's technology industry body, the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), on Saturday said that the US President Donald Trump imposed H-1B visa fee hike will affect Indian tech firms, and September 21 deadline is also a concern.

“The timeline for implementation (anyone entering the U.S. after 12:01 a.m., September 21) is also a concern," said the industry body in its statement.

It noted that one-day deadline creates considerable uncertainty for businesses, professionals, and students across the world.

Emphasising the need for high-skill talent in the US economy, NASSCOM highlighted that policy changes like these are best when they are introduced with adequate transition periods for people to plan effectively and minimise disruption.

NASSCOM noted that they are reviewing the finer details of Trump's order, but an adjustment of this extent can potentially impact the American job market and the overall US economy.

“While we are reviewing the finer details of the order, adjustments of this nature can potentially have ripple effects on America's innovation ecosystem and the wider job economy,” the industry body said, as per the statement cited in the agency report.

The fee hike will also impact India's technology services companies with their operations in the United States, as the business continuity for the onshore projects in the US may need changes.

“Companies will work closely with clients to adapt and manage transitions,” Nasscom said.

What does Trump's H-1B visa fee hike mean?

US President Donald Trump, on Friday, 19 September 2025, announced that the federal government is increasing the annual fee on H-1B visas for high-skill foreign professionals to $100,000 per year.

This move from the US government is set to impact Indian citizens who are working for global companies or Indian companies operating in the United States, as the H-1B visa is a mandatory requirement for foreign nationals to work in the Western nation.

'Follow all necessary governance'

The industry body, NASSCOM, also highlighted in its statement that India and India-centric companies follow all necessary governance and compliance.

“India and India centric companies have been steadily reducing their reliance on these visas through increased local hiring in recent years. These companies also follow all necessary governance and compliance in the US for H-1B processes, pay the prevailing wages and contribute to the local economy and innovation partnerships with academia and startups.”

They said that the H-1B workers for these companies are by no means a threat to national security in the United States.

“While developments are underway, we will continue to monitor developments closely, engage with industry stakeholders on the potential implications, and seek further clarity on the discretionary waiver process, to be granted by the Secretary of DHS,” said NASSCOM.