US Proposal to Impose Six-Figure Fees on H-1B and OPT Visas

The US Department of Homeland Security is weighing a dramatic increase in visa costs, with proposed fees reaching $103,265 for H-1B petitions and $100,000 for OPT applications. Should these regulations take effect, they would impose a massive financial burden on foreign professionals and the American companies that sponsor their employment.

Editorial·August 24, 2026·reads: 2,838

The potential policy shift, currently under review by the Office of Management and Budget, targets the core of the foreign workforce in the United States. Indians stand to be the most affected group, as they currently account for 71 percent of the 399,402 H-1B petitions approved in 2024. Immigration services firm Fragomen notes that these proposals could force a fundamental restructuring of how foreign nationals transition from university programs to the workplace.

Beyond these steep financial barriers, the administration is considering a separate rule to eliminate the 60-day grace period for unemployed H-1B workers. If finalized, this would compel individuals to depart the country immediately upon losing their employment, rather than allowing them time to secure new sponsorship. With over 5.2 million people of Indian origin residing in the US, the cumulative impact of these measures threatens to disrupt the existing immigration landscape significantly.