The National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) has raised concerns over the proposed $103,265 fee for H-1B visa applications, warning that the steep increase could have significant implications for skilled talent mobility in the United States. The H-1B programme is widely used by US companies to hire specialised professionals, including workers in technology, engineering and other highly skilled sectors. A substantial increase in the cost of obtaining an H-1B visa could make the programme considerably more expensive for employers. Nasscom has reportedly warned that such a fee could particularly affect companies that depend on international talent to fill specialised roles.

Businesses may be forced to reconsider hiring plans, shift certain operations or absorb significantly higher costs. The proposed fee could also have implications for Indian technology professionals, who represent a significant share of H-1B visa holders. Any major change to the cost or accessibility of the programme is therefore closely watched by India's technology industry and professionals seeking opportunities in the US. Industry stakeholders are concerned that higher costs could reduce flexibility for companies facing shortages of specialised workers.

They argue that policies affecting skilled immigration should balance efforts to protect domestic employment with the need for businesses to access specialised global talent. The proposal is likely to remain a subject of debate among technology companies, industry associations and policymakers. Nasscom’s concerns add to the wider discussion over how changes to US immigration policy could affect employers, skilled workers and the technology sector. If implemented, the proposed fee could represent a major shift in the economics of H-1B hiring and potentially influence how US companies recruit international professionals in the future.