India keeps close tabs on US H-1B visa fee hike as talks continue
India says it’s staying in close contact with the US government over the recent jump in H-1B visa application fees. Officials call it an “evolving situation,” with ongoing discussions at multiple levels.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on September 22 in New York. The talks, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, zeroed in on trade and tariffs. Jaishankar brought along India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, while Rubio had the US Trade Representative by his side. They also touched on other key parts of the India-US bilateral relationship.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared details during a briefing in New Delhi. “The focus was on trade and tariffs, but we covered other aspects too,” Jaiswal said. On the H-1B visa issue, he added, “Our ministry and embassy in Washington DC have been in active touch with the US side. After the changes, they’ve issued clarifications and FAQs. We’re still engaged as things develop.”
The meeting signals a warming in India-US ties after recent strains. Tensions rose when the US slapped 50% tariffs on Indian goods, effective August 27. They also stemmed from India’s purchases of Russian oil. This was the first in-person chat between Jaishankar and Rubio since those issues flared up.
Jaishankar called the discussion “good” and posted on X: “Our conversation covered a range of bilateral and international issues. We agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on priority areas. We’ll remain in touch.”
From the US side, the State Department said Rubio stressed how vital the India relationship is. He thanked India for ongoing talks on trade, defense, energy, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and more. The two sides pledged to keep working together on a free and open Indo-Pacific, including through the Quad alliance.
The timing feels especially important now, with the Trump administration’s new H-1B visa rules shaking up the tech world. The fee has soared to $100,000 per application, sparking uncertainty for thousands of Indian workers who depend on these visas to bring skilled talent to the US.
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