US Eases $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Rules: A Limited Relief for Indian Professionals
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (India-US relations, US visa policies); Indian Economy (Indian Diaspora, Remittances, IT Sector).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (International Relations): "Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests" (CORE TOPIC); "Indian diaspora."
General Studies Paper 3 (Economy): "Indian Economy and issues relating to... growth, development." (Impact on the IT services export sector).
Key Highlights from the News
The US government issued new guidelines, granting an exemption for the controversial $100,000 H-1B visa fee.
This hefty new fee will only apply to new applications.
Individuals currently in the US do not have to pay this fee for change of status or extension of stay.
This policy most affects Indians, as approximately 70 percent of H-1B visa holders in the US are Indian.
Indian IT companies like TCS, Infosys are major users of the H-1B visa.
The US Chamber of Commerce has already filed a lawsuit against this new fee.
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