Engaged with Trump administration, different stakeholders: India on H-1B visa charge hike

India is engaged with the Trump administration and different stakeholders as Washington seems to be at framing guidelines to implement its resolution to boost the applying charge for H-1B visas to $100,000.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) mentioned the mobility of expert expertise has contributed enormously to innovation, financial progress and wealth creation in each the U.S. and India.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s resolution to levy the whopping software charge for H-1B visas is predicted to impression Indian nationals, who accounted for nearly 70% of of all H-1B visas issued in the previous few years.

“We have seen the notice by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding the proposed rulemaking. I understand that stakeholders including the industry have one month to provide their comments,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned at his weekly media briefing.

“As we stated earlier, skilled talent mobility and exchanges have contributed enormously to technology development, innovation, economic growth, competitiveness and wealth creation in the United States and India,” he mentioned.

“We would remain engaged with all concerned including the industry, hoping that these factors receive due consideration,” he added.

The U.S. has already come out with clarifications and FAQs on the contemporary H-1B visa purposes.

“As to how it’s going to play out, this is still an evolving situation and we remain engaged at various levels,” Jaiswal mentioned, referring to contacts between the External Affairs Ministry and the Indian embassy in Washington and the Trump administration.

The Trump administration’s resolution to extend the H-1B visa software charge got here amid a downturn in bilateral ties after Washington imposed 50% tariffs on Indian items.

The restrictions on the favored employment visa regime is seen as a part of bigger efforts to crack down on immigration.

Under the H-1B visa programme, corporations recruit international staff with specialised expertise to work within the U.S., initially for 3 years that may be renewed for 3 extra years.

At current, the H-1B visa charge that corporations pay to sponsor H1-B candidates ranges from about $2,000 to $5,000, relying on employer dimension and different prices.

Mr. Jaiswal additionally referred to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, accompanied by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, holding talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. commerce consultant Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 22.

“The focus of the discussion was on trade and tariffs. Other aspects of our bilateral relationship were also reviewed,” he mentioned.

To a query on the Trump administration’s resolution to impose 100% tariffs on pharmaceutical merchandise, giant vehicles and furnishings from October 1, Mr. Jaiswal mentioned the departments involved of the Indian authorities are trying into the matter.

“As you are aware, India and the U.S. are involved in [negotiations for] a bilateral trade agreement over the last few months. These ongoing discussions naturally cover all areas of interest to us,” he mentioned.