**Has Trump’s Recent Order Rendered the H-1B Visa Program Ineffective?**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 21, 2025, 06:24 PM*

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**What’s the Story?**

US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation increasing the fee for H-1B visas to $100,000. This change, which takes effect immediately, is expected to have a significant impact on global hiring practices.

However, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt clarified that this is a one-time fee rather than an annual charge. This means current H-1B visa holders will not have to pay again for re-entry into the United States.

So, does this mean the H-1B visa program is now practically ineffective? Let’s explore the implications.

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**Hiring Trends: Rise in Remote Hiring**

The steep increase in H-1B visa fees could prompt a rise in remote hiring, especially from India. Ritu Sethi, Partner at ABC Consultants, believes this change will open up more opportunities for Indian tech professionals to work for multinational companies without relocating.

However, she also notes that the higher costs could limit the number of Indians accepting onsite roles in US-based organizations.

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**Business Strategy: Adoption of Hybrid Models**

Kapil Joshi, CEO of IT Staffing at Quess Corp, suggests that businesses will increasingly adopt hybrid models to balance cost and client needs. These models will likely involve retaining client-facing roles locally in the US, while centralizing other functions in India and other talent hubs.

Joshi emphasizes the importance of investing in robust collaboration tools, scaling global capability centers, and ensuring that remote teams feel fully integrated within their organizations.

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**Impact Assessment: Reverse Brain Drain Concerns**

The visa fee hike could have profound effects on India’s tech talent pool. Siddhartha Nigam, Partner and Global Markets and US Corridor Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat, points out that nearly 70% of H-1B visa holders are Indian nationals.

He warns that companies may need to reconsider their offshore-onshore workforce balance. Moreover, this change could trigger a “reverse brain drain,” with senior professionals opting to return to India rather than incur high relocation costs.

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**Conclusion**

While the new visa fee is a significant hurdle, it does not entirely render the H-1B program ineffective. Instead, it is likely to accelerate shifts towards remote working, hybrid business models, and a re-evaluation of global talent strategies. The full impact on the technology sector and international hiring practices will unfold over the coming months.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/effect-of-trump-s-recent-order-on-h-1b-visa-program/story