Washington (Web Desk): The U.S. government has announced new tariffs on H-1 and H-1B visas, which will come into effect on September 21, 2025.

Under the new policy, individuals applying for or renewing H-1B visas will be required to pay a fee of $100,000.

These visas, primarily intended for skilled workers, have reportedly been misused, particularly by Indian nationals. India is the largest recipient of H-1 and H-1B visas, meaning this policy will most heavily impact Indian visa holders.

Last year, Indian nationals accounted for 71% of approved H-1B visa holders, followed by China at 11.7%, according to official data. In the first half of 2025 alone, Amazon.com and its cloud computing unit AWS received approvals for over 12,000 H-1B visas. Microsoft and Meta Platforms each secured approval for more than 5,000 such visas.

Many major U.S. technology, banking, and consulting firms have declined to comment or have not responded to requests for reaction. The Indian Embassy in Washington and the Chinese Consulate in New York also did not issue immediate statements.

Shares of Cognizant Technology Solutions, an IT services company heavily reliant on H-1B visa holders, dropped nearly 5%. Indian tech giants Infosys and Wipro, listed on U.S. exchanges, also closed between 2% and 5% lower.

In India's Lok Sabha, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, labeling him a "weak Prime Minister" in response to the U.S. visa fee increase, which threatens millions of Indian visa holders.

The move by the U.S. President has sparked a strong backlash on Indian social media, where users have voiced concern and criticism. This development is being seen as a major setback for Indians living in the United States, with potentially long-term consequences.