"h-1b-visa"

Some H-1B visa applicants are receiving approvals after strict social media vetting by US consulates in Hyderabad and Chennai. Applicants report being asked to submit public social media handles, with cases briefly marked refused before being approved and issued.

The Trump Administration has announced sweeping reforms to the H-1B visa system, replacing the random lottery with a weighted selection process that favours higher-skilled and higher-paid foreign workers. The new rules will take effect from February 27 and apply to the fiscal year 2027 H-1B cap season.

US H-1B visa delays, caused by a new social media vetting policy, are leaving Indians stranded in India and risking their jobs. Some appointments have been postponed to 2026, prompting Google to advise employees against international travel.

The Trump administration has announced enhanced screening measures for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, requiring checks of their social media profiles. Starting December 15, the US State Department will review the online presence of applicants and their dependents.

Twenty US states have sued the Trump administration over a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, calling it illegal and harmful to public services. The states say the move worsens labour shortages in education and healthcare.

US Senator Ruben Gallego has urged stricter oversight of the H-1B visa programme, warning that major US tech firms are laying off domestic workers while hiring thousands of foreign professionals. The move could impact Indian engineers, who form the largest H-1B beneficiary group.

The White House defended President Trump’s nuanced H-1B visa policy, allowing initial foreign hires to launch projects but prioritizing American workers long-term. Trump’s position has sparked debate among Republicans, amid legal challenges and opposition from business groups.

US President Donald Trump said he will welcome skilled immigrants to help train American workers in advanced manufacturing, arguing that the US lacks certain specialised talents. He acknowledged criticism from his conservative base but insisted such visas are essential for complex chip, electronics and missile production.

President Trump defended H-1B visas, citing the US need for foreign talent in specialized industries, even amid a crackdown and legal challenges. Florida Governor DeSantis criticised H-1B use in universities, while India-born workers continue to receive the majority of visas.

The rupee rose 15 paise to 88.60 against the US dollar amid a weaker greenback. Trade uncertainties, H-1B visa fee hikes, and US tariffs continue to weigh, while Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal holds trade talks in the US.

Srini Gopalan's appointment comes as US President Trump signed a proclamation imposing a staggering USD 100,000 fee on new H-1B visas

The Indian rupee slipped 7 paise to 88.80 against the US dollar on Wednesday amid US tariffs and H-1B visa fee hike concerns, coupled with persistent foreign fund outflows. Sensex and Nifty also opened lower, reflecting investor risk aversion.

Sensex and Nifty opened lower on Wednesday amid foreign fund outflows and concerns over the US H-1B visa fee hike. Major laggards included Tech Mahindra and ICICI Bank, while Brent crude rose 0.28% and Asian markets were mixed.

Former US Commerce official Christopher Padilla said Trump’s H-1B visa restrictions would impact India-US trade negotiations, adding agriculture and tariffs remain difficult issues as both countries push forward sensitive bilateral discussions.

China is launching a new K-Visa to attract foreign science and tech professionals, as the US imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications. Unlike H-1B, China’s visa doesn’t require a local job offer and promotes global collaboration

The rupee slipped to 88.21 against the US dollar amid US H-1B visa fee hikes impacting IT stocks. Domestic equities opened lower, while forex reserves rose, Brent crude climbed, and PM Modi highlighted GST reforms to boost India's growth.

Sensex and Nifty opened lower on Monday, dragged by IT stocks after US President Trump raised H-1B visa fees to USD 100,000 for new applicants. Domestic consumption sectors gained, while Asian markets showed mixed performance amid global cues.

EAM S Jaishankar meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio today in New York amid trade tensions and concerns over Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee hike. White House clarified it applies only to new petitions.

EAM S. Jaishankar will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York today amid tensions over tariffs, Russian oil imports, and the Trump administration’s USD 100,000 H-1B visa fee for new petitions. Trade talks are also underway.

USCIS has confirmed that a one-time USD 100,000 fee applies to all new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. The fee, part of Trump’s visa reforms, excludes renewals and current holders while prioritising high-skilled, high-paid workers.