The Trump administration’s decision to dramatically increase the annual H-1B visa fee to a staggering $100,000 is poised to severely hinder U.S. innovation, while simultaneously propelling India’s technological advancements. This is the stark warning from Amitabh Kant, the former CEO of NITI Aayog, who believes the move will redirect the next wave of research labs, patent development, and startup ventures towards thriving Indian cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Gurugram.
According to the Trump administration, the hefty new fee is designed to guarantee that only ‘truly highly skilled’ individuals are brought into the United States, thereby preventing them from displacing American workers. However, Kant views this policy as a critical misstep for the U.S. innovation landscape.
Donald Trump’s 100,000 H-1B fee will choke U.S. 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 . India’s finest Doctors, engineers,…
— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) September 20, 2025
Kant emphasized that by “slamming the door on global talent,” America is inadvertently gifting the future of innovation to India. He foresees a surge in opportunities for India’s top doctors, engineers, scientists, and innovators to significantly contribute to the nation’s ambitious growth trajectory towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). In essence, he concludes, “America’s loss will be India’s gain.”
This significant policy shift, enacted via a proclamation signed by Trump on Friday (September 19, 2025), introduces an annual $100,000 fee for H-1B visas. It represents the latest in the administration’s stringent approach to immigration, impacting a large number of Indian professionals seeking to work in the U.S.
The core motivation behind this drastic increase, as stated by U.S. officials, remains the protection of American jobs and ensuring that only exceptionally talented individuals are granted access, with companies bearing the cost of sponsoring these H-1B applicants.