India’s financial markets were rattled this week as the rupee hit 88.77 per US dollar, a record low, on the heels of a major change in America’s H-1B visa policy—a move with potentially deep consequences for Indian professionals and tech firms.
New H-1B Visa Fee Shock
President Trump signed an executive order on September 19, 2025, that introduces a $100,000 filing fee for all new H-1B visa petitions submitted after 12:01 AM (US Eastern Time), September 21, 2025. The rule does not apply to existing H-1B holders or those with petitions filed before the cutoff date, but it throws up a huge financial barrier for future Indian aspirants, startups, and IT consulting firms.
The US administration claims the measure is aimed at “protecting American workers” and curbing alleged abuse of the H-1B system. However, Indian officials and industry bodies have labeled the move disruptive for global talent flows, innovation, and the longstanding tech relationship between the two countries.
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Dual Headwinds: Weak Rupee & US Policy
With the rupee’s sharp slide, overseas expenses—tuition, travel, investments—are already becoming more expensive for Indian families. Now, the $100,000 H-1B fee places a fresh obstacle in the path of thousands of Indian engineers, students, and global IT service providers. Industry experts warn this could discourage talent from seeking US opportunities, shrink the pool of available workers for US companies, and complicate planning for Indian businesses in America.
Uncertainty for Families and Businesses
While the US government has clarified that current visa holders and pending petitioners aren’t subject to the new fee, legal experts urge anyone with valid paperwork to travel or file paperwork promptly, given the evolving situation. Indian policymakers and business leaders are in talks to assess the dual challenge—worsening currency woes and restrictive immigration—on economic stability, talent mobility, and bilateral ties.
The simultaneous hit of a record-low rupee and the hefty new H-1B visa fee is creating uncertainty and anxiety for Indian professionals, students, and business leaders. The coming months will test India’s ability to adapt to evolving global rules and currency pressures.
Key Highlights
- The Indian rupee plunged to an all-time low of 88.77 per US dollar on September 23, 2025, continuing a year-long losing streak.
- President Trump’s new H-1B visa policy imposes a $100,000 fee on all new entrants, raising worries for Indian workers and tech firms.
- Fee applies only to new H-1B filings after September 21, 2025, not to current visa holders.
- Indian IT sector and families of H-1B aspirants face a double blow with a weak rupee and restrictive US immigration policy.
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