H 1B VISA TRAVEL RESTRICTION

FHA loan access ends for H-1B visa holders and other non-permanent residents, squeezing them out of US housing market
The US government has stopped insuring FHA mortgages for non-permanent residents, including H-1B visa holders, effective May 25. This policy change, aligning with broader immigration restrictions, means only citizens and permanent residents now qualify for these loans. The move significantly reduces non-permanent residents' access to homeownership, impacting entry-level housing markets.

US Chamber of Commerce sues Trump administration over $100,000 H-1B visa fee
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has launched a lawsuit against the Trump administration, contesting the legality of a newly introduced $100,000 fee for H-1B visas. This fee is perceived as potentially damaging to the backbone of American businesses, notably in industries reliant on high-skilled talent from countries like India.

Infy, Eternal Q2 report; Zepto's latest funding round
Happy Friday! As the earnings season progresses, IT giants Infosys and Wipro, and Eternal, reported their Q2 numbers. This and more in today's ETtech Morning Dispatch.

Big US court relief for H-1B spouses, but worries remain
The spouses of H-1B workers, who are skilled professionals, were given H4 Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) allowing them to work in the US starting 2015. Joel Yanovich, attorney, Murthy Law Firm, said that over 200,000 H-4 EADs have been issued to date. According to data shared by Boundless Immigration, a US-based agency, 90% of the H-1B beneficiaries are Indians.

US Chamber of Commerce sues Trump administration over $100,000 H-1B visa fee, citing harmful impact on American businesses
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is suing the Trump administration over a new $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas. The Chamber argues the fee is unlawful, exceeding processing costs and hindering businesses' ability to hire skilled foreign talent. This legal challenge highlights a significant conflict between business interests and the administration's immigration policies.

H-1B spouses get relief with Supreme Court rejecting H-4 work rule challenge
The Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to a 2015 rule allowing H-4 visa holders, spouses of H-1B workers, to work in the U.S. This decision upholds the Obama-era regulation, which Save Jobs USA argued allows foreign workers to compete with Americans. The ruling maintains the current work authorization for H-4 dependents.
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RBI MPC member flags H-1B troubles ahead for India
The RBI’s October MPC minutes highlighted concerns over recent U.S. trade measures, including the HIRE Act and a 100% tax on patented pharmaceuticals, which could affect India’s economic prospects. Dr. Nagesh Kumar noted that while overall GDP impact may be limited to 40–60 bps, MSMEs and jobs in labor-intensive sectors—textiles, garments, leather, gems, jewellery, and processed foods—could face larger challenges, as the U.S. accounts for 20% of India’s merchandise exports and 33% of labor-intensive goods exports.
$100K H-1B visa fee disrupts Telugu graduates' career plans, marriages, faith
Some estimates suggest that 10–15% of all H-1B visas are filled by applicants from the twin Telugu states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. With Indians accounting for nearly 71% of total H-1B allocations, this translates into tens of thousands of young Telugu graduates, engineers, and tech professionals.
TCS cutting dependence on H-1B visa, hiring more locally: CEO Krithivasan
Tata Consultancy Services is reducing its reliance on H-1B visas for US operations, with CEO K Krithivasan stating a significant drop in fresh applications. This strategic shift aims to foster local hiring and aligns with a broader workforce transformation. The company's move comes as its net headcount saw a decrease in the September quarter.
TCS reduces H-1B usage, aligns with US push for local and high-skilled hiring
Tata Consultancy Services is proactively reducing its reliance on H-1B visas by scaling up local hiring in the US. This strategic shift aims to mitigate potential disruptions from the Trump administration's proposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions and broader visa rule changes.
China’s visa uproar is part of a DeepSeek illusion
Beijing’s plan to attract foreign STEM talent through a new K visa, similar to the US H-1B, has triggered online backlash instead of praise. The initiative comes amid China’s slowing economy, weakened by a property market collapse that once made up nearly a third of GDP. While the Made in China drive has boosted high-tech industries like robotics and electric vehicles, it hasn’t replaced lost property-driven growth.
After $100,000 H-1B visa fee, Trump pushes new restrictions aimed at protecting American jobs
The White House is introducing significant changes to the H-1B visa program. These reforms aim to alter how American companies hire skilled foreign professionals. The Department of Homeland Security is increasing scrutiny on employers and third-party placements. Eligibility for specialty occupations and visa cap exemptions will be reviewed.
$100,000 H-1B visa fees are a distraction from real reform
The U.S. faces rising global competition in science and technology, but a new White House plan to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas has drawn criticism for discouraging skilled immigration and investment. The administration says the fee targets program abuse, yet experts warn it risks harming innovation.
Trump's H-1B visa fee could strain universities and schools
A new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas will significantly impact tech firms and financial institutions, but also educational systems. Universities and public schools report the steep fee will hinder their ability to hire foreign teachers for critical roles, potentially leading to unfilled positions and impacting student learning.
Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee threatens rural schools and hospitals reliant on immigrant workers
Rural American schools and hospitals face a crisis. A new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas makes it difficult to hire foreign teachers and doctors. These skilled workers fill essential jobs where Americans are scarce. The fee could force many rural institutions to close or reduce services. This impacts communities that already struggle with shortages.
Healthcare, IT lead FPI outflows as policy worries cloud outlook
Foreign investors divested ₹4,521 crore from IT and ₹4,036 crore from healthcare stocks in the latter half of September. This selling was driven by concerns over US H-1B visa restrictions and new pharma tariffs, impacting export-oriented sectors. Overall, FPIs sold ₹19,647 crore across 15 sectors during the period.
These 25 US universities likely to be hit by Trump’s $100K H-1B fee
US universities face challenges attracting international graduate students and academic talent due to new H-1B visa fee hikes and lottery changes. A $100,000 fee, previously much lower, now impacts institutions, prompting concerns about research and teaching capabilities. A lawsuit has been filed challenging the fee's legality.
University of Southern California advises H‑1B visa holders to postpone international travel 'until further guidance'
USC has advised its faculty and staff on H-1B visas to delay international travel. This follows new immigration measures from the White House. A $100,000 fee is now required for new H-1B petitions. This policy aims to protect American jobs. A lawsuit has been filed against the administration over this fee hike.
Nvidia CEO Huang says chipmaker will continue to sponsor H-1B visas: Report
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated that the company will keep sponsoring H-1B visas and bear all related costs, despite President Trump’s recent executive order imposing a $100,000 fee per new application.
US visa no longer a passport to love for Indians after Trump H-1B squeeze
US immigration policies are changing marriage plans for Indians. Families are hesitant to arrange marriages with individuals in the United States. This is due to fears about job security and immigration status. The H-1B visa changes are a major concern. Many are now considering other countries for potential partners. This shift affects long-term stability and future generations.
US worker job losses in the computer field drive push for $100,000 H-1B visa fee
Kevin Lynn's long-standing advocacy against U.S. companies relying on foreign white-collar workers recently gained significant traction, culminating in Trump's proposed H-1B fee. This sudden resonance stems from a softening tech job market and widespread layoffs, which highlighted concerns that H-1B visas, often used for routine coding, displace American workers. The issue now resonates politically.
Why Trump’s H-1B visa fee hike is facing a lawsuit: All you need to know
A coalition of unions, schools, healthcare and religious groups has sued Donald Trump's executive order over a steep hike in H-1B visa fees. Filed in California, the case argues the President overstepped legal limits by bypassing Congress. The groups warn that the fee will hurt hospitals, schools, and small employers relying on skilled migrants.
Unions, educators sue Trump administration over $100,000 H-1B visa fee
A coalition has sued the Trump administration over its $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, arguing the president lacks congressional approval for such revenue measures and bypassed regulations. The plaintiffs warn the steep fee will harm essential services, while the White House defends it as curbing job losses for Americans.
The fuel behind Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee: Lost US tech jobs
Kevin Lynn's advocacy against US firms relying on foreign white-collar workers recently gained significant public attention. This surge in resonance is attributed to a softening tech job market, widespread layoffs, and support from Trump's base, culminating in a new $100,000 H-1B visa fee. The H-1B program, often misused for routine tasks, is now seen as displacing American workers.
Trump’s $100,000 H-1B fee draws rare rebuke from US business
A coalition of major business groups warned US President Donald Trump that the new $100,000 H-1B visa application fee risks significantly harming the US economy and crucial talent pipelines. They urged the administration to reconsider changes, arguing the fee burdens companies and threatens progress in cutting-edge sectors like AI, despite White House claims of curbing abuse.
India Inc rethinks US talent strategy after Trump's hefty price tag on fresh H-1B visas
India Inc is adjusting its US staffing strategies after the Trump administration imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas. Companies are exploring L1 intra-company transfers, B1 business visas, offshoring work to Europe or India, and other pathways to manage costs.
Before Trump’s 100K hit, there is another fee H-1B applicants need to worry about
The US is imposing a new $100,000 fee for H-1B petitions starting September 21, 2025, alongside a $250 'Visa Integrity Fee' for all non-immigrant visas from October 1, 2025. These significant charges will raise costs for skilled professionals, employers, and all international travelers, impacting global talent mobility and visa planning.
Indian govt says imposition of one-time fee for H-1B visas causes disruptions
India's economic affairs department on Friday cautioned against disruptions due to the imposition of a one-time fee of $100,000 for all future H-1B visas, and said it was a "reminder of risks of trade uncertainties affecting the hitherto unaffected services sector".
'Fast and furious': H-1B workers abroad race to US as Trump order sparks dismay, confusion
President Trump's new visa fees triggered panic among H-1B visa holders from India and China, forcing them to abruptly halt travel plans and return to the U.S. Tech companies issued urgent advisories, while confusion arose over the order's scope. Despite clarifications, the proclamation sparked debate about its impact on skilled workers and the U.S.'s attractiveness as a global work destination.
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