New H-1B Visa Rules Could Stifle US Innovation While Boosting India’s Growth: Amitabh Kant

Amitabh Kant, a former G20 Sherpa, has cautioned that US President Donald Trump's proposal to charge an annual fee of $100,000 on H-1B visas can strangle innovation in America, while providing a fillip to Indian IT and technology companies at the same time.

This action is a major blow for Indian IT professionals working in the US, along with top tech companies, since Trump has signed a proclamation that seeks to severely restrict the H-1B visa program.

“Donald Trump’s $100,000 H-1B fee will choke US innovation, and turbocharge India’s. By slamming the door on global talent, America pushes the next wave of labs, patents, innovation and startups to Bangalore and Hyderabad, Pune and Gurgaon,” Kant posted on X social media platform.

He further added that Indian physicians, engineers, scientists, and innovators of the best kind now get the opportunity to directly contribute to India's growth and its path to Viksit Bharat.

“America’s loss will be India’s gain,” he noted.

Entrepreneur and investor Kunal Bahl also shared the same sentiments, pointing out that the new H-1B regulations would surely trigger a major return of expert professionals to India.

“It will no doubt be tough in the beginning to move base, but will work out for them given the tremendous opportunities in India,” he posted on X.

According to the new decree, every H-1B filing will have a fee of $100,000 annually, aimed at discouraging overuse of the visa program and encouraging domestic talent hiring.

Speaking at the White House on Friday as he signed the proclamation, Trump said that the policy's intention is to make companies hire American workers.

“We need workers. We need great workers, and this pretty much ensures that,” Trump added.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended the program, saying that it would discourage companies from using a lot of foreign labor.

Trump also signed an executive order launching a "gold card" program, under which people could secure a visa for $1 million and companies could secure a visa for $2 million.