(Washington) The United States has clarified the conditions for the taxation of $ 100,000 for work visas widely used in the technological sector on Saturday, after the concerns expressed in particular by India and potentially affected businesses.
The H-1B visas-of which three quarters of the approved candidates are Indian-permit nationals to foreign workers with precise qualifications (scientists, engineers and programmers, among others) to come to work in the United States. These work permits are an initial period of three years, extendable at six years.
President Donald Trump announced on Friday this measure, which is accompanied by the creation of a “golden” residence permit to a million dollars, reference to the famous “green card” which allows to live and work in the United States, by signing the decrees in the oval office.
The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday feared the “human consequences” of this measure “because of the disturbances” inflicted “to families” and “hopes” that they “can be treated appropriately by the American authorities”.
The mobility of talents has contributed to “technological development, innovation, economic growth” of the two countries, he recalls.
The main Indian organization of the technological sector, NASSCOM, said on Saturday feared for the “continuity” of certain projects, by worrying about the speed of the implementation of this measure, which “creates considerable uncertainty for businesses, professionals and students around the world”.
Bank JP Morgan has confirmed to AFP that it has sent a message to its employees inviting “holders of an H-1B visa (…) currently in the United States” to “stay in the country and avoid any international trip until the government publishes clear directives in terms of travel”.
“Take our jobs”
The White House clarified the conditions for the taxation of these 100,000 dollars on Saturday.
“These are costs to pay only once that only apply to the visa request. This concerns only new visas and not the renewals or the current holders of these visas, “said AFP an official of the White House under the cover of anonymity.
The Minister of Commerce Howard Lutnick insisted on the voluntarily dissuasive character on Friday aimed at “stopping to bring people to take our jobs”.
If large technology companies continue to recruit foreign workers, they will have to “pay $ 100,000 to the government and then pay their employee, it is not profitable,” he said.
Donald Trump has posted since his first mandate his desire to limit H-1B visas in order to give priority to American workers.
The number of requests for this type of visa has clearly progressed in recent years, with a peak of acceptance in 2022 under the chairmanship of the Democrat Joe Biden.
The United States approved around 400,000 H-1B visas in 2024, two thirds of which were renewals.
Tech entrepreneurs-including Trump’s former ally, Elon Musk-warned the H-1B visa targets, saying that the United States does not have enough skilled workforce for the needs of the sector.
