NASSCOM has strongly responded to the US DHS proposal to set H-1B visa fees at $103,265, highlighting the industry's massive investment in US STEM education and local hiring.

  • DHS proposed a massive H-1B visa fee hike to $103,265.
  • NASSCOM noted a significant decrease in H-1B reliance by Indian firms.
  • The Indian tech industry has invested $1.1 billion in US STEM pipelines.

The technology industry body NASSCOM has issued a strong response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding its proposal to fix the H-1B visa fee at a staggering $103,265 for new applicants. This regulatory move, which is currently open for a 30-day public comment period, aims to recover immigration system costs and shift hiring focus toward domestic American workers.

NASSCOM emphasized that the H-1B program has historically played a critical role in bridging short-term skill gaps within the United States. The industry body argues that the proposed fee hike contradicts the fundamental purpose of the program, which is to provide access to specialized temporary skills where local shortages exist.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that such a drastic increase in visa costs could fundamentally alter the global outsourcing landscape and increase the operational burden on multi-national corporations. By making high-skilled immigration significantly more expensive, the U.S. risks stifling the very innovation that drives its tech-led economy.

The proposed increase in visa fees must be viewed in the context of the programme’s original purpose of enabling access to temporary skills.

In a strategic rebuttal, NASSCOM pointed out that Indian technology companies have not been stagnant in their commitment to the U.S. workforce. Over the past five years, the number of H-1B employees utilized by Indian tech firms has decreased significantly as these companies have aggressively expanded their local hiring efforts within the United States.

Furthermore, the Indian tech sector has demonstrated its commitment to the American ecosystem by investing over $1.1 billion into strengthening the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) pipeline. This investment involves collaborations with more than 130 U.S. universities and colleges, impacting approximately 2.9 million students and upskilling over 255,000 employees.

Did You Know?: The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the purpose of the proposed DHS fee hike?
The U.S. administration intends to recover costs related to the immigration system and encourage hiring American workers.

2. How has the Indian tech industry supported the U.S. workforce?
Through $1.1 billion in STEM investments and increased local hiring initiatives in the U.S.